With pre-season started with a comfortable run out and win against Boreham Wood, and with the season just over 3 weeks away, club football is very much back to the forefront of our minds.
It is an exciting time for Arsenal fans, many experiencing a pre-season with a new manager for the first time. We all have questions in our head as to the direction we are taking. Here's some of mine:
Aubameyang and/or Lacazette?
PEA will be a regular starter, I am confident of that. But what role will Laca play? 1st half Saturday had PEA on the left and Laca in the striker role, something Mr Wenger did when he played both. Will Mr Emery try partnering them this season, with Auba going wide, or will Laca be more of a back up? Or could they be used as a striking partnership?
Is Bernd Leno any good?
I was never happy with us signing Cech, so am pleased it looks like we are replacing him. But Leno has had a couple of seasons where his form has dipped. Will the new club re-energise him, will he reach the heights predicted when he broke through? I hope so!
Where does Ozil fit in?
Given the #10 shirt, but with a midfield 3 expected, will he get the #10 role? Many expect Xhaka, Torreira and Ramsey to make up the midfield 3, with Ramsey the more attacking. Will this push Ozil out wide? Or out of the starting XI altogether?
Will the back 4 improve?
Emery is expected to give Arsenal more defensive stability this season, but will the individuals be good enough? Neither Bellerin nor Kolasinac had great seasons last year, but look good bets to start the season in the full back roles. There are a lot of question marks over the new signing Sokratis, and he could well be paired with the much-maligned Mustafi. None of the youngsters have established themselves in the first team, so a lot of attention will be on if Emery can improve Holding, Chambers and/or Mavropanos into first team regulars.
Will youngsters get a chance?
Last season saw a group of kids get regular chances in the first team. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is considered a first team player now, and Mavropanos is expected to be fighting for a first XI role as well.
The likes of Nelson, Willock, Smith-Rowe and Nketiah face a difficult job to get games, with a large first team squad. However, with a few sales, you can see chances for youngsters in the Europa and League Cup in the first half of the season.
Who will be sold by 9th August?
Ospina, Cech, Campbell, Welbeck, Jenkinson are just a few names being linked with moves. Sales abroad don't have to be done by the 9th, but it benefits Arsenal if we can move on players by this time.
The big questions...
posted on 18/7/18
Interesting choices. For me Auba is the far superior CF and we should play him there. However we'd be weak on the wing so need a signing there.
Don't know much about Leno bar that he's supposed to be decent but not top drawer. Given Cech was pretty damn mediocre himself last season I'm hoping for an improvement albeit perhaps not a huge one
The back 4 should improve big time with a more tactically astute manager but time will tell. The back also needs protection which it should have now and for me that's likely to be the biggest difference.
None of the youngsters seem likely to do much IMO, can see most of them finding their level further down the leagues eventually.
Would be great to ship out the players mentioned but their wages will probably see them staying on or loaned with us paying part of them.
posted on 18/7/18
Imagine we'll see Auba and Laca together a fair bit, with a bit of rotation factored in. It makes sense to allow them to be a bit fluid in possession so Laca can link the play while Ozil drifts into the 10 role and Auba centrally, so long as we get our shape back without the ball.
posted on 18/7/18
Aubameyang and/or Lacazette?
Both. I think i read somewhere that Emery would prefer a 4-4-2 diamond formation. This would make sense given we have no wingers in the club. Pretty excited to see both upfront.
Is Bernd Leno any good?
Not sure. You're right, post 2016 he's been shocking. But i'm taking positives from his 2016 form. I don't dwell into individual mistakes. The very best make them. But it's a chance for him to up his level. Maybe his time at Germany made him stagnate. Who knows. Hope he does well.
Where does Ozil fit in?
Initially, at the tip of the diamond. Long term? Well that depends on his pressing. Emery has made it very clear he wants pressure high up the pitch. Ozil must contribute or else he will be dropped. Personally i don't think he'll be up for the fight.
Will the back 4 improve?
Almost definitely yes. Wenger's lack of tactical discipline was legendary. So was his disregard for the defensive side of the game. With more organisation, discipline, a proper DM covering the CBs and the injection of experience, i'm hopeful.
Will youngsters get a chance?
AMN most definitely will. So will, i think, Mavropanos. The rest? Well the question remains, are they good enough? This needs to be the season Reine-Adelaide moves up a few levels. He's got the potential but should be converting that to actual performances. I'd rather keep him in the squad for Europa games than loan him out. Not entirely sure Nketiah is ready. Might need a loan move short term.
Who will be sold by 9th August?
You've covered it. Plus Ramsey if he doesn't commit soon. I still think we'll get in at least 1 more.
posted on 18/7/18
Good article, DJ.
I have no answers to any of your questions though.
posted on 18/7/18
Cheers for turning up Lex
posted on 18/7/18
Will be very interesting to see what happens. Not got a clue myself.
I suspect we might see some variation in the XI and formation from game to game.