As the transfer window countdown begins, it’s fair to examine what Arsenal have, what they need to jettison and what they still have left to do. It’s also going to be interesting to see what the eventual line up could be with the new additions.
On social media, it’s been a time of unexpected and unprecedented excitement, as Arsenal attract a number of decent players and it’s been interesting to note the variations in the likely lineups, most of which have excluded Guendouzi and Torreira.
Anyway, let’s look at the situation as if currently stands and speculate on what else is needed. Ozil will see out his contract in my opinion, job done, no questions asked !
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As the most highly paid player at Arsenal, it’s inevitable that he is going to be included in the side even if it’s not on a regular basis. Arsenal have the fire power in Lacazette and Aubameyang and if only they’d had the service of Bellerin, the Gabonese striker would have been the clear winner of the golden boot with Lacazette hot in his heels.
Torreira is now in his second season at Arsenal and will be even better for his introduction but who fits alongside him ? This is where we split opinion drastically. Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ceballos or ….Sami Khedira. Yes, the speculation is still alive that the midfielder is on his way.
Some say Khedira is finished but I completely disagree. He has bags of top flight experience, vision, quality and possesses an excellent football brain. He would be there to push things forward at Arsenal and allow Torreira greater freedom, whereas at present Torreira often has to be defensively minded because Guendouzi and Xhaka aren’t.
Most expensive Arsenal signings in the Premier League:
🇨🇮 Nicolas Pepe (£72m)
🇬🇦 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£56.1m)
🇫🇷 Alexandre Lacazette (£52.7m)
🇩🇪 Mesut Ozil (£42.5m)
🇩🇪 Shkodran Mustafi (£35m)Arsenal have just smashed their club-record transfer fee. 🤑 pic.twitter.com/tM8T7ij6qs
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 1, 2019
Ceballos would fill the Ramsey role of creative, attacking, box to box player but he could easily go into the middle as a traditional number 10. Ozil should be losing sleep right now and Xhaka may never sleep again.
With the arrival of Pepe at Arsenal, anyone on the right flank should be concerned but he can also play in the centre forward role which will provide excellent cover in the event on injuries at the top. Mhkitaryan and Iwobi would obviously suffer most, although both can play on the left flank.
So there’s a chance for both then. Well, no, Martinelli can play left or right plus centre forward so they will have to give their absolute best to be in contention for that space.
One also senses that Mhkitaryan’s days as a central midfielder are over because either Ozil, Willock, Ceballos or Maitland Nile’s would all be closer to the definitive option.
Kieran Tierney’s arrival will be as Monreal’s long term replacement on the left with the Spaniard perhaps moving to a central role. It was clear last season that the veterans legs were gone over the course of a busy season, so perhaps he could be reinvented.
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No Koscielny, hopefully no Mustafi, which leaves Holding when fit, Mavropanos when fit, Sokratis as the go to guy and Chambers, who now seems to be on Emery’s radar. Joseph Olowu and Zech Medley are also options, with Olowu nearer to first team selection out of the two.
Emery needs a strong centre back almost immediately while Holding is absent and Saliba continues his posting with Saint Étienne, so the rumours of Rugani on a two year loan would be perfect. Allowing Arsenal and Emery time to sort out the long term options whilst at the same time providing genuine quality.
Arsenal are expected to make a new offer for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney over the coming days, with Arsenal increasingly confident an agreement can be reached before the transfer deadline on August 8th. [Sky] #afc pic.twitter.com/up2ZDUNnZu
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 3, 2019
Bellerin is the obvious right back with Maitland Nile’s providing the cover under difficult circumstances last season. So, if Arsenal could secure Rugani, Khedira and Tierney that would certainly sharpen up the squad but what about Zaha ?
Never say never but I think that window of opportunity closed the moment Arsenal went to Lille for Pepe’s services. If they could snap up the Palace playing Arsenal fan, the gunners attack could potentially be the best in the league.
Finally, after this season is over, will Arsenal cash in on Aubameyang ? I think they might or they will have to tie him to an Arsenal contract until the end of his career.
There are plenty of variations on social media in terms of team selection but at the moment, these are mine.
My preferred team:- 2019/20
Leno, Bellerin, Rugani, Holding,Tierney, Torreira, Khedira, Pepe, Ceballos, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
2020/21
Leno, Bellerin, Saliba, Rugani/Holding, Tierney, Torreira, Khedira,Pepe/Nelson, Willock, Zaha, Lacazette.
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