3 Arsenal players Wenger must drop ahead of their Champions League clash

After sweeping aside Sunderland 4-1 in the Premier League over the weekend, Arsenal head into Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Ludogorets Razgrad in buoyant mood having gone unbeaten in all competitions since the opening day of the 2016/17 season.

Braces from Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud bagged all three points for the Gunners at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, despite Jermain Defoe pulling one back from the penalty spot in the second-half for David Moyes’ strugglers.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Now level on points with fellow joint-league leaders Manchester City and Liverpool on 23 points, Arsene Wenger’s side will be looking to book their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League this evening after two wins from their opening three fixtures, including one draw.

Next up for Arsenal is Ludogorets Razgrad, who they thrashed 6-0 back at the Emirates Stadium just a few weeks ago, so nothing less than three points is expected from the Premier League outfit in Bulgaria.

With the North London derby against Tottenham on the horizon (Sunday), Wenger may opt to make some changes tonight, so here are THREE players he must drop to ensure Arsenal record their third straight European victory on the trot…

Petr Cech

Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Not that the star shot stopper deserves it! But Wenger has consistently swapped his goalkeeper in this competition, with Cech making way for David Ospina so far in Group A.

The 28-year-old Colombia international is set to deputise between the sticks in Razgrad tonight, having conceded just once in the Champions League so far (vs Paris Saint-Germain), keeping two clean sheets in the process.

So far, so good for Arsenal when Ospina is between the sticks, so no need to change.

Mohamed Elneny

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

With fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey nearing full fitness, and Granit Xhaka back from suspension tonight, the Egyptian looks likely to drop out of Arsenal’s starting line-up against Ludogorets.

Wales international Ramsey replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the final 15 minutes at the Stadium of Light at the weekend, so Wenger could give him some more game time ahead of Sunday’s derby.

Meanwhile Xhaka, who has served his three-match ban after his straight red card at Swansea City, returns to the frame.

Alexis Sanchez

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Having scored eight goals in 13 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners so far this term, Wenger may decide to rest his in-form forward in Bulgaria.

The 27-year-old netted a brace against Sunderland to take his league tally up to six strikes in 10 games.

However, fellow forward Olivier Giroud was on hand at the Stadium of Light to open his 2016/17 goalscoring account, with a similar double, so Wenger could opt to lead with the Frenchman in attack and give the Chilean a rest ahead of Sunday’s derby.