Sky Sports pundit fires more shots at this Arsenal ace ahead of Bayern Munich clash
By Amir Mir
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has fired more shots at Arsenal ace Francis Coquelin by stating that it is unfortunate that he will play against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
These comments come after former Gunners striker Nicholas previously stated that the defensive minded midfielder “would be lucky to get in the 18” when everyone is fit.
Nicholas believes that Coquelin has a “red card in him”, even though he has not been sent off this season, yet he wants to see Granit Xhaka in the team.
The summer signing has been given his marching orders on two occasions this term, most recently against Burnley.
Arsene Wenger’s side are set to travel to Germany on Tuesday night for a tough first leg encounter against the Bundesliga champions.
Nicholas provided his verdict on the mouth-watering match as he backed Carlo Ancelotti’s team to come out as 2-1 winners.
“Arsenal are obviously not firing on all cylinders heading into this game, but neither side are as good as they used to be,” Nicholas told Sky Sports.
“Mohamed Elneny will come back in and unfortunately Francis Coquelin will be in there. I say unfortunately because even though he’s got that graft the team are lacking, he also has a red card in him.
“Then I’d like to see Granit Xhaka in there to make up three in that middle area to protect the defence.”
Former Chelsea and Premier League winning manager Ancelotti awaits in the opposing dugout for Wenger as he could pile more misery on the under-fire man.
Wenger’s side have lost some big games this term as his future at the club has come under scrutiny with the Frenchman in his final months of his current contract at the Emirates.
During his time at the north London club, he has failed to lift a European trophy, losing in the final in 2006 to Barcelona.
Now, he faces an uphill task of beating a team that beat them 5-1 at the Allianz Arena during the group stages of the competition last term.
In other Arsenal news, Harry Redknapp has predicted the Gunners clash against Bayern Munich.
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