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How I see Wenger playing it this season

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With Santi Cazorla finally signed, we take a look at how the Arsenal line-up could look like this season.

Cazorla has signed a long-term contract with The Gunners, which, in my book is a fantastic bit of business done by the club and certainly pushes the ‘lack of ambition’ remarks that have been floating around out of the window.

So, so far Arsenal have signed Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and newly Santi Cazorla, all of whom are international players, splashing out around £35 million in total – if this doesn’t prove to Van Persie that we know what we’re doing then nothing will.

So for the purpose of the line-up below, I am going to assume that Robin has left the club. With that being said, here is how I see Arsene Wenger setting out his side this season:

Szczesny

Koscielny          Mertesacker          Vermaelen          Santos

Arteta          Song

Podolski          Cazorla          Gervinho

Giroud

With Bacary Sagna out until the end of September, I have a feeling Laurent Koscielny will end up moving to right-back, especially as Per Mertesacker will be back fit – how this is going to change when Sagna comes back remains to be seen, but I would imagine the French defender won’t be left out of the line-up.

I think Andre Santos is my preferred choice at left-back, despite young Kieran Gibbs’ performances. I think the Brazilian has shown in pre-season so far that he is capable of running with the ball at defenders and I think it would give us a chance to perhaps loan out Gibbo.

Jack Wilshere is out until probably close to Christmas. He sadly will not feature much again this season, thus adding to the fans worry that it could potentially be an injury that ultimately ends his career which is obviously the worse case scenario imaginable.

Gervinho has done fantastically well in pre-season and I think, assuming that Van Persie leaves, the Ivorian will play a big part for us this season. However, this position could also be filled by Theo Walcott as we also don’t know if he is going to stay with us, although it certainly looks that way.

One thing is certain though, with only 10 days until the start of the Premier League, there is still a lot of questions to be answered and a lot of decisions to be made.

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76 comments

  • Jossy says:

    U pp ar leaving ROSICKY behind. Remember he was one among our best three players that is if nt the best last season.

  • Jossy says:

    U pp ar leaving ROSICKY behind. Remember; he was one among our best three players that is if nt the best last season. I don’t theo in our first team this season.

  • paul says:

    Read ur shit its really rubbish the squad u picked is lame ii don’t really think you know football that much. Fill you were just chatting rubbish in what world would you if you were sensible seeing what Arsenal went through with wing back defenders last season loan out gibbs? Are you really serious by saying and koshelny as right back never works don’t worry jenkins or yaneris can take care of the right back and analysing the team you choose where does theo walcott fit in? did you think about the squad you pick before publishing it, trust me Celtic would beat that Arsenal team you picked I’ll give you a chance to rethink you squade ok. Regards

  • GoonerKing says:

    Wow! You’re properly getting berated for your team selection and i can see why. But there’s no need for the foul language and abuse! We’re all in it for the same cause! I long to see some unity within us Gooners!
    While I agree with most of it…there are a few things that dont make much sense. Let me break it down for y’all…
    Shezza between the sticks (his name is hard to spell!) simpless…
    While sanga is out…its not a bad shout to suggest koscielny would fill that role, it was done last season. La Coq (and i mean that with endearment) and Jenkinson would play back up to Laurent. Per has gotten a few games during pre season so it is viable that he’ll start the season…while i agree that hes pretty slow. He is good in the air and that might be ideal against Sunderland. Tommy V gets a start as our Captain if RvP leaves.
    Left back will be a tough choice…let me state Gibbs wont be going on loan! We need atleast 2 players in each position and with him we fulfill that. Both Gibbo and Santos are good at what they do depending on how attacking Arsene sets up the team. I believe Gibbo is better all around and Santos is more attacking and puts in a better ball.
    Nowwww, the midfield!! The options we may have this season is looking very gooood! Possibly, Sahin and M’villa joining and Wilshere and Diaby returning!
    Song is a certified starter…the fact that hes linked with barca says it all and we must keep a hold of him! The problem is guessin the other two central spots. Wenger doesnt usually start new signings straight away…he allows some bedding in time…and the fact that Santi has only recently signed and played one game allows me to think that he wont start against Sunderland…i could be wrong but im guessing…obviously! Therefore, i believe he will stick to what he knows with Diaby and Arteta just ahead, while slowly intergrating and re-intergrating Wilsh, Rosicky, Santi, Rambo and possibly Sahin throughout the season.
    Forwards! The players that WIN games! With that said, given his contribution last season, Theo is starting on the right. I know some people still have their reservations over Walcott but his assists and goals last season speak for itself. Now on the left, i’d personally play Podolski. Great left foot, movement, creative in his own right and would balance the team out with Theo on the right. He normally plays on the left and centre , havent seen him play on the right, im sure he can though. BUT Gervinho has played really well in pre season so im gonna second guess Wenger in playing him there instead.
    Now the biggest selection headache in my opinion…whether or not to play RVP if he stays till past the beginning of the season. Well this depends on if he’s gonna stay outright OR leave eventually. If he stays…he plays. If hes resided to leaving then Giroud should start. Then again Wenger doesnt normally put players out in the cold. He sticks by them till the end. Admirable, maybe. But he should give Giroud a go. As a team, we always make chances and I believe Giroud is a type of player we’ve really needed. Good in the air and on the deck. If he doesnt do well, then stick on Lucasss! Done! COYG!
    Wengers predicted team…
    Shezza
    Koscielny mertesacker vermaelen santos
    song
    Arteta Diaby
    Walcott Gervinho
    van Persie

    My preferred team at this point
    Shezza
    Koscielny mertesacker vermaelen gibbs
    Arteta Song
    Walcott Cazorla Podolski
    Giroud
    Dream team/our best team, injury free…its a dream!
    Shezza
    Sagna. Koscelny. Vermaelen. Gibbs
    Song. Wilshere
    Walcott Cazorla. Podolski
    van Persie
    Subs: Fabianski, Mertesacker, Santos, Arteta, Gervinho, Chambo, Giroud

    I want feedback…

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