Leno
Niles Luiz Gabriel Tierney
Partey Xhaka/Ceballos
Pepe Willian Saka
Auba

Saka and Willian can switch roles occasionally if needed, hopefully Partey can find Pepes runs on a regular basis.

Willian is shiiiit though, and should never start. We need to Ozil him now.

Aye, but he's the best we have.

Well, ozil is, but that's not happening.

Is he though? I would say he was about 6th best that we have.

Meh. Each option has their strengths and weaknesses. Willian is the most rounded I think.

Can’t see any number 10 being utilised

Possibly a 433 with Partey Xhaka and Ceballos in midfield.

But don’t see why Saka can’t play on either wing. He surely can’t be any worse there than Pepe, Willian or Auba

........................Leno
Bellerin/Cedric ? Gabriel Tierney
.................Partey. Xhaka
....................Ceballos
Pepe. Lacazette Auba


I think at time Auba can play in the middle and Saka can play on the left. Not sure who will partner Gabriel...Luiz is sooo shaky in a back 4. Also..Bellerin...blows hot and cold. I would not be adverse to seeing Cedric given a run there.

Not having Saka in the best XI is criminal.

Yes it is hilarious people trying to shoehorn Pepe and/or Willian in ahead of Saka

Saka should play every game 90 min. He proved that he can be consistent week in week out. After Aubameyang first player on my team sheet.

Play 4-3-3

Saka on the left, Pepe on right and Auba centrally

MF of Partey and Xhaka and Willian advanced

Willian ahead of Ceballos

Against worse teams where we should have more of the ball

-------Partey---Ceballos
Pepe------Willian-------Saka
--------------Auba-----------

Against better teams

--------Partey---Xhaka
Saka-----Ceballos-----Auba
--------------Laca--------

Something like that

comment by 5-2 (U10698)
posted 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
Saka should play every game 90 min. He proved that he can be consistent week in week out. After Aubameyang first player on my team sheet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah and your team sheet would soon be stuck without him for a big chunk of the season. After his body proved to you just why you don't play a physically under developed kid like that in a PL 1st team

comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
Play 4-3-3

Saka on the left, Pepe on right and Auba centrally

MF of Partey and Xhaka and Willian advanced
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wilner is a flop

Partey Xhaka
Ceballos

Pepe, Willian. Saka and Nelson can be started in several variations, according to fitness/form. Same for Auba and Laca up front. Ideally we find the best combos, defining our best starting set. And can interchange all keeping players fresh and getting gametime. Works for a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. Not a single doubt in my mind that MF 3 with Ceballos advanced to influence the attackers, is a key to offensive success for AFC.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
Willian ahead of Ceballos
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed.

comment by No Thomas No Partey (U18355)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
Play 4-3-3

Saka on the left, Pepe on right and Auba centrally

MF of Partey and Xhaka and Willian advanced
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wilner is a flop
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really trying hard to get this 'Wilner' thing to catch on aren't you mate

comment by WB2 (Emery'll Get Me Killed) (U8276)

posted 9 hours, 58 minutes ago

comment by 5-2 (U10698)
posted 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
Saka should play every game 90 min. He proved that he can be consistent week in week out. After Aubameyang first player on my team sheet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah and your team sheet would soon be stuck without him for a big chunk of the season. After his body proved to you just why you don't play a physically under developed kid like that in a PL 1st team
----------------------------
Nothing to worry, Ozil will then come in for him.

Interesting idea to be fair.

Dont see Arteta playing him there.

For me this role should be for Ceballos. Not ideal but Wilian can't play there and needs to be benched.

Özil is done at Arsenal. Won't play for Arsenal in any competition.

For me personally it is a mistake.

comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 1 minute ago
Interesting idea to be fair.

Dont see Arteta playing him there.

For me this role should be for Ceballos. Not ideal but Wilian can't play there and needs to be benched.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ceballos can't make a forward pass. He is decent at keeping the ball but not has the vision nor the skill to play that role.

I think Saka is capable of doing the #10 role but, based on the current form of our other wide players, he's got to stay out wide at the moment.

I did like the idea of Willian being central, but he's looking shocking, too. Probably going to have to be Ceballos. Problem there is that if we are playing Partey & Xhaka behind him most games then we only have Elneny left. I worry that those three will get burnt out pretty soon, if they don't pick up injuries first.

I think Saka will eventually be a no.10. His spatial awareness and understanding is astounding for someone so young. But I think he needs some polishing on his finishing and positioning. So he maybe ideal in 5 or 6 years time. Just not yet.

I also think Willian is getting a lot of unfair criticism on this site.

We are NOT playing a no.10 in a 3-4-3. Therefore what do expect him to do with a starting position from wide? The ball is moved from defence to attack out side in a 3-4-3, not in the middle!