Predicting the Starting 11 for Arsenal When They Take on Birmingham City

Arsenal, along with the Premier League, returns this weekend after the international break, and the North London giants will be eager to reinstate their dominating presence onto the English scene due to their current run of two consecutive losses and three consecutive games without a win.

Arsene Wenger and his men face the tough task of the doughty Birmingham City who will undoubtedly come to the Emirates with a physical approach as they attempt to push the Gunners out of the game. Arsenal will be severely boosted by the return of a number of key players along with the home ground presence.

Nonetheless, let’s try and attempt to find a possible starting 11 for the Gunners.

Goalkeeper

Manuel Almunia has overcome his elbow injury and is expected to retain his spot as the dominant keeper. Despite looking strong deputy Lukasz Fabianski is unlikely to keep his starting spot. Boom youngsters Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczensy will once again be forced to patiently wait their respective opportunities.

Almunia has a short history of making vital errors late on against the Blues and any slip ups here would surely signify the Spaniards deserved demotion.

Defenders

The Arsenal backline will be hugely boosted by the return of defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgium had been troubled by an agonising Achilles injury that saw him for well over a month. Unfortunately, right back Bacary Sagna suffered a hip injury whilst on international duty with France and will be absent for at least a month.

This gives Ivorian utility Emmanuel Eboue an opportunity on the right flank with Frenchman Laurent Koscienly the likeliest to partner Thomas Vermaelen in the middle. Gael Clichy has returned from international duty unscathed and is likely to start as the left back.

Kieran Gibbs and Sebastien Squillaci are chances for starts but are likely to be given bench roles by Wenger.

The Arsenal defence are certain to be given a physical encounter from the Birmingham forwards alongside a host of long, high balls which ensures the back four needs to be at their best and not fall into their recent tendency of concurring lapses in concentration.

Emmanuel Eboue will add an extra attacking dimension from the back and the return of Thomas Vermaelen is well timed as the former Ajax man’s reliable head and physicality will be vital.

Midfielders

Another huge boost is the return of captain and midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas who missed the Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion losses due to a hamstring injury sustained against Sunderland in September.

The Spaniard will receive the right central attacking role with Alexandre Song in the defensive midfield role. The Cameroonian will have to ensure he enforces his presence onto the game as well as ensuring he does not drift too far forward and attempt to become an attacking midfielder rather than a defensive one.

The left central role will have a number of players vying for starts with Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Denilson and Abou Diaby. However, it would be hard to deny the immensely inform teenager Wilshere a start so one would expect the Englishman to receive the starting role.

However, Wenger may want height and power to deal with Birmingham’s physical approach and utilize Abou Diaby.

Forwards

The forward line receives the biggest boost with trio Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and speed machine Theo Walcott all returning. However, none are likely to be fit enough to start. Samir Nasri will be utilized on the right wing but will alternate with Wilshere to ensure a flowing midfield.

On the left wing Andrei Arshavin will start and look to shake off a recent form crisis. Alex McLiesh’s men will attempt to congest Nasri, Wilshere and Arshavin when the ball arrives at their feet and the trio must ensure they play with control and pace.

Leading the Arsenal front line will be the highly impressive striker Marouane Chamakh. Since arriving from French giants Bordeaux in the summer, the Moroccan big man has been a consistent force providing the much needed physical forward presence the Gunners had lacked.

Chamakh contribution will be vital for Arsenal to succeed. Furthermore the 26-year-old must ensure his header remain on target as the Gunners may be forced to look to the air.

Substitutes

With seven places on the Arsenal bench Wenger is likely to use Lukasz Fabianski as back up keeper and Kieran Gibbs as the backup defender, with Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou likely to miss out. 

Denilson, Tomas Rosicky and the starter out of Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are likely to have the substitute midfielder roles with talismanic striker Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott the forward reserves. This leaves Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner missing out.