Arsenal Ideal Starting XI To Face Watford
Kieran Clarke – Flickr Creative Commons
Arsenal return to action after international break to face Watford. The newly promoted side sits 12th in the table. They are tied for last in goals scored in the league but they are also tied for first in goals allowed. Needless to say, if you can break their defense, chances are you can beat them. But it is not always that easy. A 0-0 draw would not be the most bizarre result.
Arsenal had been on a roll prior to international break. In typical break fashion, it managed to pop up in a perfect position to potentially stop that roll. The last thing Arsenal need right now is a lapse in their form.
Luckily for the Gunners, all of those serving on international duty looked phenomenal. Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey all accomplished one thing or another. Whether that be scoring goals, managing games or leading countries to European Competitions, it was an Arsenal-centric international break.
But momentum is a fickle thing. It never really makes sense. Bringing all of these guys back together after a lay off of playing in different teams and different systems could be potentially disruptive. Let’s hope that isn’t the case.
As far as injuries go, there are two major concern, and that is Alexis Sanchez. But the concern is not that he will miss the game. The concern is that he will play and agitate his injury, which, as has been established, has not fully recovered. Arsenal face a big week ahead. They need to carry on their momentum and also take points from Bayern Munich. Normally, the odds would not be in their favor.
Laurent Koscielny’s fitness is also up for question and he falls into the same situation as Alexis.
Yet this is an Arsenal team that has been inspiring a lot of belief. Let’s get started with who should be starting in Arsenal’s return to action.
!["arsenal,](https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2653,w_3979/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2Fozil2.jpg")
Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/">
When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury?
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/">
2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/">
Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023
</a>
<li>
<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/">
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start?
</a>
</ul>
</div></p>
<p>Gabriel Paulista has been superb as well. He is a phenomenal athlete and deserves to be starting week in and week out. His aggression gives this Arsenal defense a totally new look and feel.</p>
<p>Laurent Koscielny, even if healthy, would be better served saving his strength for Bayern Munich.</p>
<p>Luckily, whoever gets left out will have the benefit of facing Bayern Munich at midweek. Good luck, Per!</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Defensive Mids</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h3 style="font-size:34px;">Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla</h3>
<div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 68.518519% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/491288562?et=GOxSMW1RRPpRlihH2Vfxyw&viewMoreLink=on&sig=RnViGQaGnigoH5VazScKbRShWMVIDcZ1TwZmO7tsp7Q=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="407" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/491288562" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<p>Santi Cazorla had a great international break, leading the Spanish side as they conquered the group. In a midfield that is as jam-packed as Spain’s, it is always impressive to see someone like Santi Cazorla come out and make a statement.</p>
<p>But that is exactly what our little Spaniard did and what he has been doing for his Arsenal career. Look for him to get off the goal snide. He cannot be kept silent for this long.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_36675" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>Francis Coquelin will have had an extended layoff to rest his weary legs. Nothing is more fearsome than a fully fit Le Coq and Watford will have to deal with his menacing presence as they struggle to mount an attack against this stout Arsenal defense.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">The Wings</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><h3 style="font-size:34px;">Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey</h3>
<div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 68.686869% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/492477276?et=7JfZkENrRe1azdFGzmcUbQ&viewMoreLink=on&sig=L04wb2esUL5Q2jizOsyeweUBGocB_5B-Bm4DnJpk9FM=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="408" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/492477276" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<p>Jorge Sampaoli admitted that Alexis was not 100% when he deployed him against Brazil. But he did it anyway because he needed him. That means the injury did not heal. Why risk Alexis against a lesser opponent like Watford when Arsenal should, ideally, be fully capable of disposing of them without.</p>
<p>By all means, have Alexis available for substitution.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to keep tabs on this injury and how it progresses.</p>
<p>Aaron Ramsey led Wales to their first major competition in 57 years. That has to make him feel good. He also scored in the process. With all that pressure lifted, maybe he can turn the corner for Arsenal and start delivering like he did not so long ago.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">No. 10 and Striker</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h3 style="font-size:34px;">Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott</h3>
<div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: #fff;font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color: #a7a7a7;font-size: 11px;width: 100%">
<div style="overflow: hidden;height: 0;padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0;width: 100%"><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/492332596?et=UCHXr4P_TStC9a1Tlop-mA&viewMoreLink=on&sig=QnEgXq-2VCFPxiVKcGGYkGjnBFfI3ha58NDQDurIaak=&caption=true%22 scrolling="no" height="396" width="594" style="width: 100%;height: 100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="padding: 0;margin: 0 0 0 10px;text-align: left"><a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/492332596" target="_blank">View image</a> | <a style="color: #a7a7a7;text-decoration: none;font-weight: normal !important;border: none" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">gettyimages.com</a></div>
</div>
<p>Mesut Ozil dominated German affairs, particularly in the second of the two international matches. He is starting to mesh incredibly well with Alexis Sanchez and in a perfect world, they were chomping at the bit to get back on the pitch together.</p>
<p>The German maestro will look to continue his fantastic run while picking out the new England front man, Theo Walcott.</p>
<p>Walcott went from a substitute winger to the starting striker on Arsenal and the Three Lions in a very short period of time. Some may find that overwhelming but the speedy striker may very well be ready to conquer this new position He has started to look more and more sturdy each time he takes the pitch for Arsenal.</p>
<p>Let’s hope that trend continues.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/17/arsenal-predicted-starting-xi-to-face-watford/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/10/12/arsenals-top-10-prospects-depth-look-gunners-future/">
