Arteta Could Start Against Unbeaten Zagreb

Match Preview: Dinamo Zagreb vs Arsenal - Champions League 16.09.2015

This encounter against Dinamo Zagreb provides Arsene with a chance to rotate and allows squad players to try to make an impression ahead of the weekend derby with Chelsea. Opening day away games in the CL can sometimes prove to be a troublesome affair, and with Zagreb imperious in their domestic league the manager will no doubt be warning his players of the dangers of underestimating opponents, although with the Monaco debacle still painfully fresh the players themselves will be aware of that. Despite their domestic form, Zagreb have only qualified for the CL 4 times and this is their first appearance in 3 years. 3 points will be expected from the Gunners.

Arsene will look to freshen up the side, with both Bellerin and Ramsey having been left in London to rest ahead of the Chelsea game. Debuchy and Chamberlain will expect to start then, unless Walcott reverts to his wide berth which seems unlikely. This pairing is probably best for both of them, Debuchy doesn't have to overlap as frequently as he would with Ramsey as Ox provides more natural width and Chamberlain has an assured presence behind him when he concedes possession. I suspect that Wenger would have identified this game as one to rest Koscielny in, due to the Frenchman's recent back strain 3 games in a week isn't ideal. However Mertesacker's enforced absence due to his lengthy illness has removed this option from the manager.

I suspect Arteta will come into midfield although I'm unsure if he'll replace Cazorla or Coquelin. One could argue that a CL away game against an opponent at a much lower technical level than ourselves is the sort of game Coquelin would be required in. The manager may choose to rest him though, and try to dictate possession through Arteta and Santi. Either way I'm sure Arteta will be giving 110%, wanting to prove he can still make a meaningful impact on the field, not just off it. There's the possibility of an appearance from Gibbs but Arsene has spoken before about the dangers of over rotating and we have occasionally seen it lead to disjointed performances in cup games. I'm glad, because a game without both Tomas Rosicky and Nacho Monreal in it isn't a game worth watching, in all honesty.

The most difficult decision will be up top for Arsene and it's that position that's under the most scrutiny, from pundits as well as our own fans. Both candidates showed exactly what they give the team against Stoke and both showcased their strengths as well as their most frustrating limitations. Walcott missed a couple of big chances then displayed his blistering pace to open his account for the season. Giroud dragged a very easy chance wide then showed great desire to get ahead of his marker to regain his place as our top scorer. In this type of game though, I suspect that Giroud will get the nod. His strengths seem suited to this type of opponent and Arsene will be aware that an unfamiliar away ground will actually be a more forgiving environment for Giroud to play in than the Emirates, especially if the chances aren't going in for him.

Even with the rotations our starting XI will be strong, and I expect that Arsene will have hammered home to his players how important starting well is if we want to compete with Bayern for the top spot. After the recent critisicm and the disheartening way he declined to celebrate his goal against Stoke, I think Giroud will bounce back and open the scoring for us.

LAST 3 meetings

Arsenal have only played Zagreb twice before

• Dinamo Zagreb 0 - 3 Arsenal - 08.08.06
• Arsenal 2 - 1 Dinamo Zagreb - 23.08.06

FACTFILE

• Arsenal played Zagreb in 2006 in the Champions League qualifiers, a clash which alerted Wenger to the talents of Eduardo when he scored the first European goal at the Emirates
• Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick for England on this ground in 2008
• Zagreb have not lost a single game since October 2014

INJURIES

Mertesacker is still recovering from a chest infection and probably still a little shaken from his traffic incident. Ramsey and Bellerin have been rested and Wilshere and Welbeck are long-term absentees.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Gabriel, Debuchy, Arteta, Cazorla, Sanchez, Ozil, Chamberlain, Giroud

GOONERSPHERE's PREDICTION

Zagreb 1 - 3 Arsenal

Bonus Prediction – Debuchy red before 75 minutes, always a shout.

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