Arsenal have released the 29 man squad list for the pre-season tour of the States and it sure hits home how weak our squad is at the moment!
Obviously the announcement has been hijacked by the news of captain Kos refusing to travel, but keep in mind that the only other players were are missing are: Lucas Torreira, Alex Iwobi, Mohamed Elneny and Matteo Guendouzi
So the full squad list is:
Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno, Emiliano Martinez, Matt Macey
Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Carl Jenkinson, Calum Chambers, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Zech Medley, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Dominic Thompson
Midfielders: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock, Granit Xhaka, Robbie Burton, Mesut Ozil
Forwards: James Olayinka, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah, Tyreece John-Jules
đŸ˜° wow. A lot of those youngsters will not play a part next season, some we know have been promoted and will get a shot, like Willock.
That’s pretty shocking! Whilst a lot of those forwards fit into the midfield, that category is skin and bones, lacking in experience and half full of mediocrity we want rid off. That is the defence that leaked 50+ goals last term and now this Kos fiasco.
I agree with Seaman’s verdict, youth should be integrated gradually and supplement a strong squad of top players, like it was when he was playing. This squad is totally out of sync, I can see us getting hammered by Bayern and Madrid...Fiorentina prob take that team as well.
Games in the US are as follows:
July 16, 2am: Vs. Colorado Rapids - sporting Goods Park, USA
July 18, 4am: Vs Bayern Munich - Dignity Health Sports Park, USA
July 20, 11pm: Vs Fiorentina - Bank of America Stadium, USA
July 24, 12am: Vs Real Madrid - FedExField, USA
29 man squad list released for re-season
posted on 11/7/19
The squad announcement was always going to be disappointing due to the lack of senior signings.
However, it gives a real chance for many of our talented youngsters to make an impression.
Thd midfield is weak, but you point out 4 of them are on international duty so it was always going to be.
A similar strength squad smashed PSG and drew with Chelsea and Atletico on tour last year, so assumptions we will get hammered seem to be overly negative. However, results dont matter too much and if only one or two of the kids step up it will still be a positive.
Looking forward to seeing Willock, Nelson, ESR and Saka all get responsibility put of them at senior level.
And hopefully we can ship a couple of new signings over there during the tour.
posted on 11/7/19
The good news is that there are no tough games for you in America
posted on 11/7/19
No complaints here. I, for one, welcome a splash of youth into the side.
Losing Cech, Lichty (and possibly Koscielny) alone would trim off a combined 105 years from the squad. About an average of about 3-4 years off the mean squad age.
I loved seeing some of the younger lads showcasing their talents in the Europa games last season and I hope to see the more promising ones grabbing this opportunity.
posted on 11/7/19
Yea I’ve cone back after a couple of hours and the article is a tad defeatist ha ha it is a good chance for the younger players to shine and seniors to stretch their legs.
But it’s still a worryingly week squad and the players we are missing are not exactly world beaters :/
posted on 11/7/19
A couple of hammerings could be the best thing that can happen to us. If it makes the club realise that the lack of investment in the team will result in a continued decline hopefully they will realise they need to bite the bullet and invest.
posted on 12/7/19
It's just preseason. We might get hammered, we might win... however these friendly tournaments mean next to nothing long term. It's just about building fitness and sharpness.
That said Arsenal are in huge trouble with a very poor squad relying on some truly awful first-teamers like Xhaka and likely no credible CB pairing and no qualified wingers
posted on 24/7/19
This squad is totally out of sync, I can see us getting hammered by Bayern and Madrid...Fiorentina prob take that team as well.
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Have you joined the King of Pundits prediction game, you would be an early favourite