Arsenal 3-5-2 formation v Middlesbrough: Confirmed Lineups – Star keeper and defender return, Mesut Ozil starts

Arsenal transfer news Granit Xhaka

Arsenal 3-5-2 formation v Middlesbrough: Star keeper and defender return, Mesut Ozil starts

Arsenal take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium hoping to get their quest for a top four finish back on track.

Arsene Wenger will setup his side with his usual 4-3-3 formation.

The Gunners welcome back captain Laurent Koscielny after two games out with an Achilles tendon issue as well as first choice goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Second choice keeper David Ospina remains out injured and will not feature on the substitutes bench.

See More: For Mesut Ozil news and everything you want to know about the Arsenal star

Germany international of Turkish origin Mesut Ozil will starts as will star forward Alexis Sanchez.

France international Olivier Giroud will return to the starting lineup upfront for the Gunners.

Middlesbrough will be boosted by the return of captain George Friend from a calf injury but Calum Chambers is ineligible to face his parent club.

The Gunners have only won two of their last eight Premier League games, losing five of them.

If the North London side lose they will have suffered defeat in their last five away games for the first time since December 1984.

Arsenal 4-3-3 formation v Middlesbrough: 

Arsenal confirmed lineups: Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Holding, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Monreal, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud

Subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Gibbs, Coquelin, Elneny, Walcott, Iwobi

Middlesbrough confirmed lineups: Guzan, Barragan, Ayala, Gibson, Fabio, Clayton, De Roon, Leadbitter, Ramirez, Downing, Negredo

Subs: Dimi, Friend, Bernardo, Forshaw, Traore, Bamford, Gestede.