How will Arsenal line up after the break?

After an unbeaten but also underwhelming start to the season, Arsenal have made the group stages of the Champions League but are already four points of the league leaders Chelsea. So we really need to hit the ground running after the two week international break.

Hopefully then, apart from Olivier Giroud, Arsene Wenger will have a full strength squad available to him, with the new man Danny Welbeck to come in and Theo Walcott to return to action, although the Man City and Dortmund games may be too soon for him to start in, so I expect Welbeck down the middle with Alexis Sanchez on the right for those games.

The left forward position is a bit more tricky, with Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell all vying for it, and I would love to see the young Costa Rican given a chance. I think he may have to wait until after those two huge games, however, and perhaps play at Aston Villa or at home to Southampton.

Another concern for me is in central midfield. Hopefully Aaron Ramsey will snap out of the indifferent form he has been in lately, but if not I would consider dropping him for Jack Wilshere, who is playing much better this season. And I hope that Wenger had a good reason for not signing a defensive midfielder. If the injury cursed Abou Diaby can start to play the occasional game and get his form going, then I think we will be alright. And I assume that the Gunners kept hold of Francis Coquelin to provide cover and another option for Flamini and Arteta.

The back four picks itself really, when Kieran Gibbs is fit, but Monreal and Chambers should still see a decent amount of action as we need to rotate a bit to keep everyone fit and sharp. So these are my teams to face Man City at home and Dortmund away.

Szczesny Szczesny
Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Arteta, Ramsey Flamini, Ramsey
Alexis, Ozil, Cazorla Alexis, Ozil, Podolski
Welbeck Welbeck

What do you think Gooners?

Tags Arteta Flamini welbeck

65 Comments

  1. SZCZESNY DEBUCHY MERTESAKER KOSCIELNY GIBBS ARTETA RAMSEY OZIL CAZORLA
    SANCHEZ WELBECK
    THIS IS WENGER’S FAVOURITE LINEUP.

    1. I hope Wenger plays Ozil in his fav role today and Sanchez and Cazorla stay on the wing and make runs behind the defenders, the pace we have in Welbeck with the hustle and creativity on the flank will bring the best out of our Ozil and his understanding with Ramsey will make us less predictable in attack!

      @Bob, If we dont improve the quality of our play, we will soon get beaten! See how we have struggled and we have City next. And you want to drop Ramsey because he doesnt score goals in every match, or why indifferent? Pls, he is not a striker. Poldoski is lazy, Campbell deserves a chance. He will get it!

      1. While, I think Wenger is right to keep joel campbell on the bench for now because considering the fact the he is stiil very young and he also played in the just concluded world cup as a starter for his team at that very young age. Secondly, going by fact our young chaps have a very bad record of injury becos of the physicality of our beloved league which has always been a setback for our player likes of Wilshere and ramsey had long term injuries which could be the case for joel campbell. So considering the two reason campbell should improve on his thinking cos wenger is just trying to preserve him for the best moments to come and be introduced gradually when the game in under less pressure maybe after securing a massive 3 point in a game.. That’s is the only way he can get the best out of campnell and at the moment Arsenal is under pressure cause we have not been playing at the level that is expected of us.. So my conclusion is Kudos to wengerian perspective.. I will like to see the formation like dis when we return from international break…
        Szczn/ospina
        Debuchy,mert,kos,monreal
        Flamini,ramsey
        Oozil
        Alexis Santi/chamberlain
        Danny welbeck.
        I remain a gooner fan of life…

      2. .While, I thlink Wenger is right to keep joel campbell on the bench for now because considering the fact the he is stiil very young and he also played in the just concluded world cup as a starter for his team at that very young age. Secondly, going by fact our young chaps have a very bad record of injury becos of the physicality of our beloved league which has always been a setback for our player likes of Wilshere and ramsey had long term injuries which could be the case for joel campbell. So considering the two reason campbell should improve on his thinking cos wenger is just trying to preserve him for the best moments to come and be introduced gradually when the game in under less pressure maybe after securing a massive 3 point in a game.. That’s is the only way he can get the best out of campnell and at the moment Arsenal is under pressure cause we have not been playing at the level that is expected of us.. So my conclusion is Kudos to wengerian perspective.. I will like to see the formation like dis when we return from international break…
        Szczn/ospina
        Debuchy,mert,kos,monreal
        Flamini,ramsey
        Oozil
        Alexis Santi/chamberlain
        Danny welbeck.
        I remain a gooner fan of life…

    1. I feel Bellarin will be promoted to back up RB and thus Chambers as back up CB.. but still defense is thin

      1. You must be right because I can think of few other options – Now that Wenger has painted himself into a corner, Bellarin seems the most likely.

        1. id prefer coqulan as the the 2nd right back as chambers is very important at 3rd centre back considering theres not another option

    1. yep. if we come out high-tempo and outnumber them in the midfield as we did in the community shield we should perform well.

      1. i agree we need to play w high energy & press.
        but just remember that community shield, a lot of their 1st team players were out.
        but we should still be able to give them a hell of a go.
        as long as we remain leak-proof at the back, esp first 20mins.

    1. maybe worry about supporting the team, the players and watching and evaluating the squad and it’s needs based on our performances?? crazy talk really….
      Damn… The window’s only been closed for a day, we’re playing the previous seasons champions in a massive fixture this weekend and all you can think of is January?? really?

    2. in january
      khedira will have 6months left arteta and flamini`s contract will be up by the summer

      as for cb depending on if we need a star or back up we could just get a player loaned in till the summer we go for someone to disturb the per n kosc partnership

    1. Isaac Hayden is a good prospect. Like Miguel. Miguel was a very exciting prospect. Under underwhelmed during his performance’s. Never lived up to his billing.

      But Hayden on the other hand stands up when needed.

      His most notable contribution last year was the 1-1 draw against WBA in the Capital one cup which we won on penalties.

      Other than that his significant contribution was(no mockery) was on the bench against Brayen Munich away last year.

      He has improved since than. And i quite expect him to get a lot of chances this year in the cup games.

    2. “I like his strengths in the duels,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “I like his capacity of concentration and I believe as well that technically he is very focused to do well.
      “He is committed and at half-time [in West Brom game] I told him to behave well because he was on a yellow card and he did that well in the second half.
      “He is maybe not a creative player but everything he does is intelligent. I like his intelligence and all these qualities together makes me choose him.”

      This is what Wenger said about him post match.

    1. aint many quality available….Carvalho refuse to move…. Khedira out injured for a lengthy period again…

      1. Carvalho didn’t refuse to leave. He put out his statement only after it was clear he wasn’t leaving because no team met the asking price.

  2. Scez
    Deb-Per-Kos-Gibbs
    Ramsey-Arteta
    Theo-Ozil-Sanchez
    Welback

    This is a good squad, I would prefer a better DM than Arteta and I think the pace of Per is an issue, so same sh*t different day.

    1. I’m not sure that Alexis would appreciate being on the left long term. He regards himself as playing on the right and did so for Barca and Chile I believe. The Theo Alexis on the right issue will be very interesting.

  3. why would you skip ahead to international break? one game at a time, and our next game is against last seasons champions.. kind of a big deal!

    Szcez
    Debuchy, Mert, Kos, Monreal
    Flamini (Arteta if fit)
    Ramsey Wilshere
    Sanchez Welbeck Ozil

    prepare for the arrival of Wilshere as a serious player for us this season..

    1. Life is not that simple. Wenger has had many successes and some failures.

      Clearly he failed in this transfer season most egregiously by not providing for CB backup. That was a failure of epic proportions as it was completely unnecessary – just a few mil would have bought some CB cover and he had the money.

      1. News at 11: pre season preps ended two weeks ago. For a sensible position as CB where you have to be in sync with your line mates there’s no time to practice when games come every 3 days. Why spend “a few millions” when you have all these players training together for 2 years now : Mert,Kos,Monreal,Bellerin,Hayden? And now Chambers who looks to be right on the money.
        A bit OT here. The most unfortunate thing that happen last year was to loan Coquelin at Freiburg. With the injury toll in our midfield we wouldn’t have bought Kallstrom and Coq would have had a pretty fair amount of games under his belt now. Moral of the story? Keep the young guns close because you may need them.

      2. of topic would anyone want free agent marco estrada to sign on afree/ trial
        he is a 31year old defensive midfielder chille international 31 caps.
        he is a very good intercepter and long passer eg alex song , with a powerful shot and good vision.
        he is better than kallstrom and coqulan

        we still have a space left in our squad wich is currently 27 players (chambers,chamberlian,sanogoo are all born in 1993)

        1. he was the 2nd best outfield player for montpellier last season (squwka* behind remy cabella and infront of new spurs boy stambuili)

    1. is that a serious suggestion??
      if it is can you please explain why you think it would work… particularly defensively?

    2. @davidnz..nice thought 🙂
      if marcelo bielsa was the manager I have no doubt that’s exactly the formation he would turn out.
      personally I would tweak that line up a bit and bring in Per as sweeper.
      Rambo and Jack to run as B2B’s (alternating) and/or cover the wings behind Sanchez and Ox
      for any counter-attacks.
      Arteta (Flamini/Diaby) sits a little deeper. We look for more diagonal balls over the top if City defend high using the pace of Ox and Sanchez…Welbeck can keep up with them for the cutbacks or crosses.
      Lots of work for Ox to do so probably have to sub him out with JCampbell after 60-65mins. Sanchez has huge lungs and can handle it.
      If we want to shut up shop we bring on Debuchy and/or Monreal to go to a flat 5 with Arteta and Rambo sitting deeper.
      Szcz
      Per (Sweeper)
      Chambers Kos
      Ramsey Arteta Jack
      Ox Ozil Sanchez
      Welbeck

      1. There must be some reason, why all epl team is built with 4 man defense, or may be all managers are delusional. LVG prefers 3 man defense, that worked well for him before. But, for that you have to choose right players. Teams play according with their strength, that choose the formation. Like, I think Ballerin/Monreal can be wing backs. But our players are not suitable for 3defense system. It can be used in nation tournaments, but in epl it may not.

      2. Hahah @ TJ I could actually see bielsa putting out that line up but he would do some crazy 3-3-3-1 formation or something

    1. I don’t know if he would be under normal circumstances. But now that Wenger has made a complete mess of defensive cover, Bellerin seems the most ready and most likely answer.

      (Which makes me believe Wenger will do something else).

  4. I cannot watch another game with Ozil or Cazorla on the LW while the pace of Ox and Campbell sits unused on the bench.

  5. Walcott is going to be eased back into action slowly. Don’t expect anything from him this month. Joel Campbell will not see meaningful playing time outside of the league cup unless we have a large number of players unavailable. For unknown reasons, Wenger doesn’t like him. With the addition of Wellbeck, the return of Podolski and the eventual return of Walcott, there will be no opportunities for Campbell. I wish it were otherwise.

        1. That is unfair, people can express their opinions, at it takes people to read and think to do so. If we just accepted what is given to us, we would still be in the dark ages.

  6. welbeck rolled his ankle in training for england. hes okay apparently, but good lord- only at AFC do players get injured before they’ve even kicked at ball at our club.

    1. Sprained ankle shouldn’t be too much to worry about. Hodgson is hoping Welbeck is still available for the England game

  7. I watched the highlights of Leicester vs Arsenal. And I concluded following things.

    Our passing was not good enough after the goal conceded we were way shooting outwards wasting the chances. We have to be more composed in front of goal. Specially Sanogo, I know he is in long wait for his first goal but he has to keep patience and with calm and composure maintained, I am confident that he can score. Personally, I see that in Welbeck, when he is in CF pos, and in front of goal, he takes his chances beautifully. Also our defence was shaky. So we have to maintain and improve that at back. Midfield was okay creating chances but have to be more accurate with their coordination and passing. Also, Alexis was good throughout at left but it was difficult for him to cross the ball with his right foot. If Campbell or Podolski is deployed on left, we can develop on that left side also. So if they regain their composure back, I see no reason why they can’t beat City.

    1. I agree about Campbell on the left. He can play as a proper left wing and afford protection to either Monreal or Gibbs. Teams know that is one of our week spots, and tend to exploit it esp when Kos is out of position too.

  8. Szcz
    Debu mert kos monreal
    ..(famini/arteta)….(Ramsey/wilshere)..
    …………….(ozil/cazorla)…………….
    (Ox/walcott)……(Welbeck/giroud)…(Alexis/poldi)

    We also have campbell ,mozart ,diaby ,sanogo…..

  9. A pacey left footed player with good dribbling skills and is good at scoring….with good performances at the world cup and UCL sits on the bench and I’m trying so hard to figure out the justification for that

  10. Tbh I think the formation Wenger has played for the first few matches has not worked, and I have wondered whether Ozil’s comments about being one of the best No.10’s in the World, has been motivated a little by his being stuck on the left. I know some might say he played there for Germany during the World Cup, but the fluidity of Germany’s attack meant that they were forever interchanging. For me Ozil is our creator up front, and the team should play around him in the final third. That. however, means he needs runners from the left, right and from deep into the oppositions box so he can ping the passes into lethal positions for the runners. From the right we have players like Alexis, Theo and Ox who can do this. From deep Ramsey, Jack and Ox again. But from the left only Poldi and Campbell and the type of attackers who will get into the box and run in, around and behind the defence. Cazola is not that kind of player. I agree, therefore, that I would like to see Joel on the left wing. In fact I would go so far as to say it was a bit of a “no brainer” to put him there. When he and Ox switched in the Benfica game, he was able to afford Gibbs protection down the left side, and between them they were able to break up Benfica’s attacks down that side early and launch counters with deviating effect. That is because Joel is/has been a left winger.
    Going back to Ozil for a tad, we have to recognise that after 60-70 mins he may need to come off, and also that he needs resting for quite a few games, so I feel that he and Cazola should rotate as No.10’s and also allow Jack some time there to develop further.
    The attacking Central midfield role must go to Ramsey as 1st choice at the moment, but this should also be rotated with Jack and Ox who I thought showed huge potential in that role last season.

    CDM is one of our problem areas. For me Flamini is the beeter shield for the defence (yellow;s and Red’s aside), and keeps it nice and simple in attack (pass to Ramsey or Ozil) , but I think that has been quite effective. Arteta is the better player, but can be pressed into lmaking mistakes a little to easily by some of the better teams. Sadly, the defence picks it’s self by whose not injured.

    Sorry forgot up top, I don’t mind giving Sanogo game time sometimes. I like to see young players being developed anr fulfilling there potential. I have supported Arsenal for a very very long time, and have been proud with how we have done this. So I will give him a good long chance to come good (in my opinion he does have what it takes). Same with Danny Welbeck, but I think we should not expect him to become the new Sturridge, They are different players and personalities. As for Giroud, for all my curses at him missing goals, he is excellent, and unless we forget, he was on fire until he was run into the ground last season.

    For me, therefore, if all fit:

    Giroud (Welbeck
    Campbell Podolski) Ozil (Cazola) Alexis (Theo, Ox)
    Ramsey (Jack,Ox) Flamini (Arteta)
    Gibbs (Monreal) Kos (chambers) Per (Chambers) Debuchy (Bellarin)

    Szchesney (Ospina)
    Sorry for the very long answer

  11. ——————-Sz/Osp———————-
    —-Debuchy–-Kos–-Per–-Gibbs/Monreal—–
    ————-Ramsey–-Wilshere/Chambers/Arteta—-
    —————––-Ozil/Cazorla———————
    —Ox/Walcott–-Welbeck/Giroud-–Sanchez/Campbell—

    Ideally 4-3-3 to 4-2-1-3 alternations.

  12. off topic but dont we need another striker because we cant garentee giroud will be back in january. solution

    30*jonas free agent
    80-82rating prev valencia main striker
    worth 11m
    champ League 14app=8g,5ass
    la liga113app=36g/16ass
    excellent=ball control,
    very good=dribble,preditor,long shots
    good=finishing,positioning,vision
    decent=free kick,speed,passing
    last season comparison;
    # ave 0.87 shots outside area better than giroud
    #39% take ons better than giroud not far from welbeck
    #56% shot accuracy would rival the best finishers in the prem.(r0oney 53%,rvp46%)
    #scored 10 goals 1 more than welbeck,
    #ave identical amount of goals from corners as giroud
    #78% pass completion better than giroud69%
    #ave 0.71creates more chances than welbeck
    #ave 25.74 passes similar to giroud better than welbeck(plays similar passing game to arsenal)

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