No surprises in Arsenal's starting XI for the Gunner's Champions League match with Barcelona. Only good news, with Samir Nasri getting the start over Andrei Arshavin, having returned early from his hamstring injury.
Arsenal Vs. Barcelona 2011: Gunners Lineup
Nasri had told L’Equipe that he was ready to play. Still, the French international left open the possibility he would not be selected. With the announcement of today’s lineup, we see Arsène Wenger has elected to overlook any risks and start his best XI.
That group will feature Nasri with Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott in outright attacking roles. Captain Cesc Fàbregas will assume his playmaking role in the middle, getting help for Jack Wilshire and, sitting deep, Alex Song.
Defense is where Arsenal's big question marks lie. That will be without Thomas Vermaelen and the suspended Bacary Sagna. As expected, Wenger has chosen Emmanuel Eboué, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny and Gael Clichy in fron to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsenal Starting XI: Szczesny - Eboué, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy - Song, Wilshire, Fabregas - Walcott, van Persie, Nasri
Bench: Manuel Alumina, Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Andrei Arshavin, Keiran Gibbs, Nicklas Bendtner
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