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Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Reports during pre-season on expected 1st team Line-Ups for clubs in the English Premier League
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FootballWriter1
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Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by FootballWriter1 »

Report below written 29 July. Further updates to come in the run-up to Arsenal's opening match home to Liverpool on Sunday 14 Aug at 4pm.

Club Review

It's tough to be Arsenal fan not just today but for couple of years now. The situation haven't changed a bit for years, Wenger is still a money saviour, worrying only about being in financial plus and the owners are the same. Arsenal are waiting 12 years for a big title (except FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield) and even with that kind of drought, they are keen on not spending money. New season and the same story, no big names and Arsenal fans are getting impatient with Wenger. Arsene Wenger remains the same, his football may have had the results 15 years ago when money didn’t have a big impact, but in today’s marketing and environment he and Arsenal can’t expect big things. Only decent signing they had this summer was Xhaka from Borussia Mönchengladbach who had nice few performances at Euros but nothing special. Still no world class strikers, still no world class defenders and now that Premier League is much stronger, Arsenal with this squad has nothing to look for. Arsene did make bids for Higuan (went to Juventus), Lacazzete (rejected), Vardy (signed new contract with Leicester), Arda Turan (rejected) but they weren't convincing enough. Now that their new captain Mertesacker is out injured for 5 months they are desperate to make some signings if they want to even be in the Champions League race. Comparing their summer transfers to other top 4 clubs in the EPL we can safely say they failed a lot.

Defence

Starting with the goalkeeping position. One of few positions that we can say that they are up and even better than their competition in the Premier League. First goalkeeper is a legend, Petr Cech, winner of last year's Premier League Golden Glove with 16 clean sheets. Even though he is 34 years old, Cech is still a top 5 goalkeeper in the world and will definitely make another push for the Golden Glove. His replacement is David Ospina, another very experienced player, who plays only in Cups matches and when Cech is injured. Szczesny, their main goalkeeper from 3 years ago spent last year on a loan in Roma and is expected to make a transfer to Italian club this summer.

The position that is causing the most problems to Wenger and fans is definitely defence, although strikers are not far away. As I said, new captain Mertesacker is out for 5 months with knee injury and already having surgery so they will need to bring in some new names and to be quick with it. Names that are mentioning are Valencia’s defender Mustafi and a player with a lot of Premier League experience Ashley Williams from Swansey. Their main centre back is Laurent Koscielny who have had a great Euro performance with France reaching the final. Now that Mertesacker is out, Koscielny will team up with Gabriel Paulista, 26 years old Brazilian. They also have young potential Chambers, but with just 21 years old, he is a big question mark for Wenger and Arsenal. We can expect from Arsenal to sign some defender and Wenger already said that they are on it.

For the right back position, they don’t have any problems. Hector Bellerin, just 21 years old, proved last season to be one of the best Arsenal players and one of the best young players in the world. A bright future is ahead of this player, but they are in danger because Barcelona showed a lot of interest for him. If they can keep him, they are safe for that position for next 10 years or so. As his replacement there is Debuchy who can also play centre back position, but he is more a decent substitute nothing more.

Just like the right back position, they are safe on the other side too. They have two very good players in Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs. Nacho played in 45 games last season and the very quick Gibbs participated in 28 games, making Arsenal’s defence one of the best in Premier League and should have great credit for Cech winning Golden Glove.

Midfield

Midfield position is world-class for Arsenal. Their midfield is definitely top 3 in the world with world class players such as Ozil, Sanchez, Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Cazorla, Cocquelin and newcomer Xhaka. Biggest problem for these players are injuries and lack of world class strikers. Each of these players were injured in 2015/2016 season and missed 733 days in together, having Wilshere our for whole season. Mesut Ozil has had least injuries and was out for 18 days in total. Amazing season with 8 goals and 20 assists in 46 games, had 19 in the Premier League which won him the award for most assists in the Premier League season and the award for Arsenal’s best player of the year. Only great Thierry Henry had more assists in Premier League season with 20. Ozil created many chances last season, but as I said huge problem and maybe the key problem for Arsenal is the lack of a world class striker. Alexis Sanchez had very variable season, having 42 appearances and scoring 17 goals, but he also missed almost two months due to hamstring injury. On the first look we could say he had a great season, but it was worse than his first season in Arsenal kit. In his first season he had 52 appearances, scoring 25 goals. After that first season he set the bar high, but with those injury problems and recoveries, he just couldn’t do his best. He is also injured at the moment, after injuring his ankle in international game but should be fresh and ready to go before the start of the season. Ramsey however may need more rest after exertions in the Euros so may miss the opening game. There is no point of writing about Jack Wilshere who only played 3 games in whole season before injuring his ankle and was out for 240 days. He came back for the Euros but it would be better for England if he hadn’t. Another attacking midfielder, just like Alexis, had a lot of problems with injuries, missing 154 days with hamstring and knee problems, is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, young and very talented player who got destroyed by injuries throughout his career. He only managed to play in 33 games and scored only 3 goals. Francis Cocquelin is a defensive type of midfielder who just like his teammates had a problems with injuries playing only 36 games for Arsenal. Arsenal have a great potential, very talented and world-class players and if they could stay healthy for most of the time, they could do a lot of things, but that issue is causing them huge problems over the years now.

Strikers

And now we came to the weakest spot of Arsenal team…strikers and offence. The only player in Arsenal squad not to be injured this season is Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman played in 53 games scoring only 24 goals, yes we must say only 24 goals because of how many chances has he had. Since Van Persie leaving in 2012 for United, Arsenal struggled a lot to find a world-class striker and they still are. Giroud did score 24 goals for Arsenal for past season, but only 16 came in Premier League, and that is not nearly enough from main striker to score for a Champion League bidding team. Vardy, Icardi, Lacazzette, Higuain all rejected Arsenal for other clubs and with statements from club owners that they have good enough team, I must say Arsenal fans will spend another year in just hoping for the title and not winning it. Other strikers such as Walcott and Welbeck (injured until early 2017) combined for just 14 goals and that is the reason behind Arsenal’s failure. If they don’t bring a big name and the big chances are they won’t, they don’t have anything to hope for with City, United, Chelsea who got themselves some big names in this off-season.

Summary

In conclusion, Arsenal are in very specific situation and if this season continues to be just like others, with no big transfers and with huge injury blows I think Arsenal will fight for that 4th spot with Tottenham and Liverpool. Even if they get a perfect season, having little injuries I still think they can’t harm clubs from Manchester and Chelsea. My prediction for the upcoming season is 4th spot, just because of their bigger winning mentality than Tottenham’s and I think this may be one of the last seasons for Arsene Wenger as a manager of Arsenal.

Just like last season I expect Arsene to use 4-1-4-1 tactics :

Cech
Bellerin Koscielny Gabriel/Mustafi Monreal
Cocquelin
Ramsey/Oxlade Xhaka Ozil Alexis
Giroud

Also he could use a 4-2-3-1 tactic more offensive:

Cech
Bellerin Koscielny Gabriel Gibbs
Cocquelin Xhaka/Cazorla
Ramsey/Oxlade Ozil Alexis
Giroud/Walcott

Players to look up for in fantasy football are :

Petr Cech – winner of the Golden Glove has definitely more skills and strength in himself and will stay as one of the world’s best goalkeepers for upcoming seasons. I think he will do approximately the same job, getting around 15 clean sheets.

Mesut Ozil – Main candidate for having most assists in this season along with Fabregas and Mhkitaryan, maybe even increasing number of 20 assists he had last season if Alexis and other players stay healthy. He is one of the players I think can win Premier League Player of the year award.

Aaron Ramsey – We all know how good of a player he is, it is just a big question can he stay healthy and gets enough rest after the Euros (menaing he may miss the opening match). If he does I would say he will have the best season of his life following great performance at Euros 2016 with Wales. His best scoring season in Arsenal was three years ago with 16 goals, but in this form and I’ll repeat again if healthy I think he can top that.

Alexis Sanchez – Beside Ozil, Alexis will again be the main player for Arsenal this season. Whole season depends of how fit and prepared he will be. He got used to Premier League football, it’s his third season with the team and I think he will have a great scoring season, getting around 25 goals but this one is a risk, because he is already injured and season hasn’t even started yet.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by FootballWriter1 »

Pre-season games:

22 July: RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal . Goal: Oxlade-Chamberlain

28 July: MLS All-Stars 1-2 Arsenal . Goals: Campbell, Akpom

31 July: Chivas de Guadalajara 1-3 Arsenal (Los Angeles, USA). Goals: Holding, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Akpom

5 August: Viking FK (Viking Stadion, Stavanger, Norway)

7 August: Manchester City (Ullevi stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden)

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by admin »

Current injuries for opening match:

Jenkinson (doubt)
Gabriel (doubt - tonsillitis)
Mertesacker (out)
Carorla (doubt due to match fitness)
Ramsey (doubt - fatigue - but should play in final preseason matches)
Welbeck (out)

Plus 3 Aug - Wenger reports that Ozil, Giroud & Koscielny will only return to training next week. So unlikely to be fit for the opening match of the season.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by admin »

1st 10 Arsenal Fixtures:

Arsenal V Liverpool
Sun 14 Aug 16:00
Leicester V Arsenal
Sat 20 Aug 17:30
Watford V Arsenal
Sat 27 Aug 15:00
Arsenal V Southampton
Sat 10 Sep 15:00
Hull V Arsenal
Sat 17 Sep 15:00
Arsenal V Chelsea
Sat 24 Sep 17:30
Burnley V Arsenal
Sat 1 Oct 15:00
Arsenal V Swansea
Sat 15 Oct 15:00
Arsenal V Middlesbrough
Sat 22 Oct 15:00
Sunderland V Arsenal
Sat 29 Oct 15:00

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by admin »

Wenger reports that Ozil, Giroud & Koscielny will only return to training next week. So unlikely to be fit for the opening match of the season.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by FootballWriter1 »

England midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss Arsenal's forthcoming tour of Scandinavia with a knee injury.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by Klopps Kop »

What about Alex Iwobi. He will feature heavily especially with some players not fit at the start.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by mikeg13 »

Klopps Kop wrote:What about Alex Iwobi. He will feature heavily especially with some players not fit at the start.
Not sure he will get that much game time at season start, as we are light down centre so would think likely to play with 2 holding, Xhaka paired with Elenor or Coquelin. and hopefully Cazorla taking Ozil spot for first game with Ramsey. Ox playing well expect him to pair with Alexis up front

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

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Preseason game : Arsenal - Viking FK 8-0 (Campbell 2, Iwobi 2, Cazorla, Walcott, Akpom, Haukas OG)

Arsene Wenger's men face Manchester City in Sweden on Sunday for their last friendly, with both Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey expected to feature.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

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GOOD NEWS FOR ARSENAL FANS :
Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal are happy to pay big money for a striker if they can find the right player.

Who would you want, Laccazzete, Icardi or some other name?

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by foxinthebox2001 »

City game should be a better indicator of where we are, knowing Wenger if we get a drubbing he could be panicked into the market, but more likely for a cheap, stop gap defender, rather than an expensive striker.
The attack, and offensive midfield will be influenced by the eventual return of Giroud and Ozil, but the central defence it likely to be what we have for gw1.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by mikeg13 »

foxinthebox2001 wrote:City game should be a better indicator of where we are, knowing Wenger if we get a drubbing he could be panicked into the market, but more likely for a cheap, stop gap defender, rather than an expensive striker.
The attack, and offensive midfield will be influenced by the eventual return of Giroud and Ozil, but the central defence it likely to be what we have for gw1.
Agree, be interesting to see who he pairs central defence for City game, me would like to see the 2 young kids given a chance, with Xhaka , Elneny and Ramsey as a 3 and Cazorla playing behind Alexis with either Ox or Iwobi.
Holding looks like he could cope pretty well and do think when Kos is back they could make a good pair its the attacker we need, not sure it has to be an out and out central player its pace and positional sense way we play, like Mahrez to me fits the bill and for games that need a different type we have Giroud

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by TPGooner77 »

Icardi is my preferred striker signing. Reminds of Batistuta. Will cost >£50m but it's not like we don't have the money!

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by admin »

Gabriel looks to have a serious ankle or knee injury in final minutes of Arsenal's friendly against Manchester city.

Only watched 2nd half but Sanchez as main striker, Walcott as right winger, Cazorla, Iwobi and Cech all impressed.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

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Preseason Friendly : Arsenal 3-2 Manchester City (Iwobi, Walcott, Akpom)

Gabriel sustained what appeared to be a nasty injury in Arsenal's pre-season friendly against Manchester City on Sunday.
Chuba Akpom scored for the fourth game in a row but Gabriel had to be stretchered off as Arsenal beat Man City 3-2 in Gothenburg.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by FootballWriter1 »

Arsenal defender Gabriel has given a positive update on his damaged ankle, claiming the injury "is not a big problem".

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by Digsby »

Klopps Kop wrote:What about Alex Iwobi. He will feature heavily especially with some players not fit at the start.
I agree, think he will surprise a few and start the first game v Liverpool.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by morganb »

FootballWriter1 wrote:Arsenal defender Gabriel has given a positive update on his damaged ankle, claiming the injury "is not a big problem".
Alternatively:

Gabriel: Arsenal defender out for up to eight weeks with ankle injury - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37023804

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

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Arsenal have not made a £30m bid for Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, according to Sky sources.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

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Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi has agreed to join Arsenal but the clubs have yet to finalise a fee, according to Sky sources.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by admin »

So based on the above and comments on SkySports, I think the line-up today could be:

Cech
Bellerin Chambers Holding Monreal
Cocquelin
Walcott Ramsey Cazorla Iwobi
Sanchez

Koscielny unlikely to be deemed match fit enough to take one of the CB roles. Xhaka pushing Cocquelin and close between the two but don't see Wenger playing both when at home even with CB injuries as they need the attacking threat in midfield particularly with Giroud not playing. Iwobi's place at risk from Ozil in a week or so as soon as he has match fitness. Walcott likely to be preferred to Oxlade-Chamberlain. Giroud likely to be main striker when he's match fit in a week or so. Wenger trying to bring in another CB due to Mertesacker's long-term injury.

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Re: Arsenal - Expected Line-Up 14 August

Post by admin »

This was the line-up:

P Cech, H Bellerin, C Chambers, R Holding, N Monreal, F Coquelin yellow card, A Iwobi yellow card & thigh injury (A Oxlade-Chamberlain, 59), M Elneny (G Xhaka yellow card, 67), T Walcott, A Ramsey hamstring injury (S Cazorla, 61), A Sanchez

Subs not used: D Ospina, C Akpom, J Wilshere, K Gibbs

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