Arsenal

Xhaka set to play centre-back again

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Image for Xhaka set to play centre-back again

Mesut Ozil is set to be recalled to the Arsenal starting XI for their League Cup clash against Tottenham tonight (Wednesday), according to the Sun.

The newspaper claim the German playmaker is in line to start in midfield while Granit Xhaka is set to be once again be used an an emergency defender in a back three.

The Sun report Arsenal have a mini injury crisis and that means changes, with Xhaka, 26, lining up in defensive for the second consecutive match.

OPINION

Ozil did start for Arsenal in a low-key Europa League clash last week, but he has not got the nod for the XI for any of the last five Premier League fixtures, three of which he was unavailable for due to a back injury. Ozil played 20 minutes as a substitute in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Southampton and the jury is out on how he fits in under Unai Emery amid signs the manager has to be convinced about the German’s willingness to adapt to his style of play. As for Xhaka, he is the club’s first choice central midfielder and that has been the case under Emery as it was under Arsene Wenger. He looked a dish out of water as one of three centre-backs against the Saints on Sunday, and Spurs fans won’t be disappointed to see a novice in that position. Emery is certainly short of defensive options. In addition to long-term absentee Rob Holding, Arsenal are without full-back pair Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac as well as Konstantinos Mavropanos.

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