Arsenal vs Valencia predicted XI: Someone, anyone, make this work

Back Three

Another match where I just don’t see any need for Shkodran Mustafi, but I’ve been proven wrong before. This isn’t a challenge though, I don’t want to be proven wrong again. Even with the back three in place, our most successful back three has not involved Mustafi and, if anything, I’d prefer Konstantinos Mavropanos over him, but neither should be featuring here.

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This will likely take the same shape as our usual best back three. Sokratis will get the start on the right side, playing in his left comfortable position, but still a position that he can thrive in. We all know he likes to stay at home, and the center-most centerback role is more suited for him, but that role belongs to Laurent Koscielny, at the very least for the rest of the year.

Koscielny and Sokratis were both thoroughly embarrassed against Leicester City but, again, let’s remember that the Europa League has no relation. They will recover here, bounce back, and provide the foundation that the club needs to have faith in their defense.

And of course, on the left side will be Nacho Monreal, who is being used sparsely lately, despite the swirling rumors of a contract extension.

Next up, the place with the most excitement and the least change, the wingbacks.