Ox is IN and Walcott’s OUT for Arsenal at Bournemouth
Theo Walcott has paid the price for his struggles in front of goal for Arsenal recently, as Arsene Wenger has dropped the England international to the subs bench for the trip to Bournemouth today, with the improving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming in to play in the wide forward role on the right flank.
The Ox has not had a great season so far but he has looked a lot better in the last few weeks and now he has a great chance to force his way into the first team on a regular basis. Let’s just hope he grabs the chance with both hands because Arsenal are badly in need of some goals and a win today.
Wenger has also reacted to the pace of the Bournemouth attack, with the boss well aware of the danger of former Gunner Benik Afobe, by starting with the Brazilian centre back Gabriel next to Koscielny and Mertesacker on the bench. Flamini starts ahead of Coquelin and I can only assume that is because the younger player is not yet fully up top speed after his injury lay-off.
Cech
Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal
Flamini, Ramsey
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud
Subs: Gibbs, Mertesacker, Ospina, Walcott, Campbell, Coquelin, Iwobi.
Will this Arsenal XI get us back to winning ways?
