A goal by Alexis Sanchez ensured Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a point on Tuesday night, with a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital.
Arsene Wenger caused a few raised eyebrows with his team selection, as Petr Cech was dropped to the bench in favour of deputy David Ospina.
However, the fact that Swiss summer signing Granit Xhaka did not start the game has also perplexed a section of the Gunners fans.
#PSGvAFC pic.twitter.com/sLeqIvm3Hp
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 13, 2016
The former Borussia Monchengladbach man entered the fray in the second half and made a positive impression, which follows on from a strong showing in the 3-1 win over Watford last month.
With last season’s preferred pairing Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla getting the nod to start against PSG, Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to champion that Xhaka needs a role in the team.
The Swiss enforcer was signed at considerable expense to add steel to the heart of the team but with Mohamed Elneny also in contention for a starting role, Wenger has a balancing act on his hands.
The majority of the Emirates Stadium faithful believe that the new man is too good to be left on the sidelines and a better option for the North London club than Coquelin in the boiler room.
Here are the best tweets:
Ospina was quality tonight, silenced his critics. Still believe Cazorla and Xhaka is by far our best midfield partnership. Alexis isn’t a CF
— Dan (@ArsenaIDan) September 13, 2016
Putting Xhaka on the bench is a great disservice to the man. He is better than Coq all day.
— Clive s Jedidia (@CliveJedidia) September 13, 2016
Xhaka basically needs to start. Santi and Coq are an issue
— Naz (@Naz_AFC1) September 13, 2016
Some please explain why:
1) Giroud didn’t start upfront with Sanchez on the wing
2) Xhaka over Coq
3) Cech over Ospina#afc— Arsenal Updates (@GoonerUpdated) September 13, 2016
@FutbolClorox @Flaminiesta a xhaka cazorla midfield would be unreal. Xhaka can hold giving cazorla more freedom. They would be my 1st choice
— Adam Cain (@Adamicus89) September 13, 2016
@FutbolClorox whenever Xhaka plays for us, we look 100x better man. Coq-Santi offers little to us, Xhaka alone is better and that says a lot
— Abdul ? (@Flaminiesta) September 13, 2016
@RobWSVince 100% agreed. We need either Elneny or Xhaka for every game. One or the other has to beef us up
— DG (@donegael) September 13, 2016
ppl thought xhaka was bad when he was thrown in at that shambles vs liverpool, now he has to start every game apparently
— pauIo (@_pauIo) September 13, 2016
@stancozy Yeah I totally agree. Xhaka will make us wayyyyyyyyyyyy better
— CK (@CentralRamsey) September 13, 2016
Stupid ref. Giroud did nothing wrong. Wrongfully sent of in Paris. Should’ve played Xhaka and Giroud from the start. The wing for Alexis.
— Andrew Gillespie (@AndrewGx6_) September 13, 2016
@j3thr0v1c lmao Xhaka coming on had a bigger effect than Giroud. Xhaka came deep, Cazorla received the ball in between the lines
— Khan (@UbaSocrates) September 13, 2016
We were twice the side when Coquelin and the Ox went off for Giroud and Xhaka. Xhaka is undroppable. #AFC #Arsenal
— DG (@GrailOfFutbol) September 13, 2016
Xhaka surely won’t be on bench 3 games in row for Hull , gotta start!
— Adam (@Adzinhoo) September 13, 2016
I want Xhaka and Iwobi starting every tough match this season and Sanchez to be played in his preferred position which is not CF…
— #ARANBADA (@marxilin) September 13, 2016
Ramsey get straight back in this XI when he gets back. Him and Xhaka perfect midfield combo.
— Hugo (@AssistingOzil) September 13, 2016
Coquelin is just a destroyer, he is not a good passer, there is no need to put Coq when Xhaka is on the bench, also Elneny should have started the game, Wenger is getting confused on finding the right combination. He did it last week on the 10th September 2016 against Southampton and the midfield did not combine well, on after the introduction of Xhaka and Iwobi. Wenger should be very careful about changing his midfield from time to time.