Who will replace Ozil and Ramsey in the Gunners Match against Cologne?

Ozil and Ramsey with their team mates

The Thursday-night jibe which Arsenal fans reserve for their Spurs counterparts has now become their bitter pill.
Last time Arsenal played at this level in Europe, they lost the UEFA Cup final to Galatasaray. Seventeen years later, their adventure in the lower tier of European football resumes on Thursday night when they host German outfit FC Cologne.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s big picture is not rosy. The Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification last year, and they have not started this season well too – two defeats out of four games so far.

A good start against the easier opposition of the Europa League could potentially recharge the batteries. But Wenger said earlier in the week that he would prioritise the Premier League instead, meaning we should expect to see a massively rotated Arsenal side against Cologne. Wenger also announced in the pre match press conference yesterday that Ozil and Ramsey will be completely rested so we don’t expect to see them in the match
This is not necessarily bad news as it will give players starved for first-team football a chance to shine.

Young prospect Reiss Nelson is likely to play a role in this fixture following impressive performances for the U23s side. Alexis Sanchez looks set to start too as he still needs more playing time to be season-ready.

The Gunners are still without Santi Cazorla who is out till the end of the year while Alex Iwobi and Franciq Coquelin are big doubts for this fixture.
Predicted line-up: Ospina, Monreal, Mertesacker, Holding, Kolasinac, Wilshere, Elneny, Walcott, Sanchez, Nelson, Giroud.

FC Cologne

Make no mistake: Cologne will be no pushovers despite their recent slump in form. They find themselves bottom of the table with three defeats out of five games in the Bundesliga in contrast to their reputable fifth-place finish last season.

The danger for Arsenal may stem from Cologne’s desperation to try and turn their season around. It will be difficult, however, as the Germans has never won in England before – three losses and two draws.
Manager Peter Stoger will be feeling hopeful ahead of the match as his squad is fully fit and match ready.

Predicted line-up: Horn, Klunter, Sorensen, Heintz, Hector, Hoger, Lehmann, Zoller, Bittencourt, Osako, Cordoba.

Head-to-head

The two sides have only met twice before – in the Fairs Cup 1971 – with Cologne getting the better out of Arsenal on away goal rule.
Cologne – Arsenal 1-0 March 23, 1971
Arsenal – Cologne 2-1 March 9, 1971

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