So the players that have been on Arsenal’s pre-season tour and played in the Emirates Cup should all be just about fit and ready for our first competetive game against Chelsea next week, but which players are unlikely to be up to speed by then?
First off all we know that Koscielny could face Chelsea, but he will miss the first two League matches through suspension, which could be a very big blow, as Mustafi and Holding have only just come back from their extended breaks. Wenger said about Mustafi: “It depends. Mustafi has come back today and will have tests during the week. For the weekend [Community Shield], he will be short.”
Hopefully he can get fit enough to play against Leicester the week after, and we may well need him. Mertesacker was sick over in China but should be okay, but we could find Elneny playing alongside Monreal again until our other centre-backs are fit, although Wenger didn’t seem too happy with the Egyptian’s defending. “No, I wanted to give him competition as well. I have many midfielders, but overall I don’t think in the future he will be a centre-back.”
Francis Coquelin went off injured in the Emirates Cup and will not be playing soon. Wenger said: “He looks like he has a scan tomorrow and I don’t think he will be available for the weekend. He doesn’t look bad, but he will not be available. [It is an] ankle problem, ligament.”
Kieran Gibbs has been in transfer talks recently, but it looks like he will be staying for now, but he has also been ill. “He has been sick over the weekend.” Wenger said. “He was supposed to play for the reserves on Thursday night at Boreham Wood but couldn’t play. At the moment he’s not available.”
There is also Alexis Sanchez who is currently sick in Chile, and he surely won’t be ready for next week’s game. “I don’t know, you have to assess his physical state.” Wenger said.
So with our very large squad, we should have enough players ready, and Coquelin was unlikely to start ahead of Ramsey and Xhaka anyway, so we should only be a little worried about our back three…
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Ozil must be thinking about Barcelona’s interest rumor now. His mind must be splitted between his dream of moving to Barcelona and his expiring contract that seems not to be extended.
If Barcelona is really coming for him, it would be nice for him and Arsenal, since I think he cannot improve Arsenal. If he leaves, I’m sure Lemar, Rafinha or/and Seri will come.
I hope Ozil leaves (won’t be Barcelona though) because it’s just like the Walcott deal. He was never worth 140k p/w, and Ozil is never worth nearly 300k p/w. What message does it send to the rest of the squad, and potential signings, that we’re willing to pay these ridiculous wages to players that clearly do not deserve it? It’s going to cause more problems than it’s worth!
I used to defend Ozil a lot, but I’ve come to realise, he’s not WC. With only a year left on his contract, one would think that all the top clubs would be fighting each other for his signature, but they’re not…and there’s a reason for that.
In regards to the article, I think quite a few might not be ready, and it doesn’t help with Wenger using players in the wrong positions.
Agree about ozil
He was needed as statement signing
Now no
If fans forced Wenger to keep his word
there will be 125m written off at the end of the season for Ozil, Sanchez and Ox
Not to worried at this moment about the financials at the end of the coming season.
Arsenal needs to worried with urgency for this season now.
Imagine if Wenger capitulate on his stance now and opens the door for very important players to leave?..That will be a revolution!
We have one month to fix the needs not matter at what cost.
The community sheild game against chelsea is a huge one never mind it is a pre season friendly.It is a trophy after all plus it being against chelsea we ought to take it seriously.Could be a huge momentum builder come the epl season and it would do a world of good in raising the heads up again of the lads.They looked a bit lost for most of the game vs sevilla as if guessing what was hitting them.Anyway,would love to see a repeat of the fa cup final performance in terms of concentration,hard work,commitment and above all THE TEAM SPIRIT.And i believe every true gooner agrees with me.
———– Cech
OX – Chambers – Mertesacker – Holding/Monreal – Kolasinac
———— Xhaka – Ramsey
—– Özil ——— Walcott
———— Lacazette
Or instead of Walcott use Giroud as main forward and Lacazette supporting him. I picked Walcott because of his form and habit of scoring against big teams.
Why don’t we try and sign nzozi, he’s tall, strong and skillful, won’t be a bad addition to our mieldfield, we need an enforcer in our mieldfield..
Moussa Sissoko is also tall, strong and skillful. Arsenal fans used to clamor for him to join Arsenal.
But look at Moussa Sissoko now in Tottenham. Arsenal’s problem is they look too much on the physical aspect of a player, whereas the greatest midfielders do not rely too much on their physiques. For example, Messi, Iniesta and Xavi.
I have been watching Barcelona’s matches and most Arsenal players cannot possess the ball like their players (except Sanchez and Cazorla).
For example, Andre Gomes in Barcelona. He is a typical Arsenal player, like to play safe with safe passes and cannot possess the ball for more than two touches consistently.
If Arsenal wants to improve, they should get players that are used to play with high football level. I think Jean Seri and Rafinha can help Arsenal to dominate the midfield area.
I understand what you are saying, I just think we are vulnerable to set piece, and nzonzi is not as average as sissoko.
I would not mid if Ozil left and we got Rafhina and Rakitic in exchange .
I don’t see a problem playing Holding, Mert, Monreal in the back; Xhaka/Ramsey/Ox/Bellerin in the middle; and Ozil/Walcott/Lacazette up front. All of them should be ready to go.
To me, Ox is great as right wing-back. Much better than Bellerin. It would be a shame to see him go.
Not convinced by the rumours he wants to leave – be mad if that’s true. He’s finally breaking through into the starting 11 – and by merit-
He’s more consistent, more dynamic, and does a better shift when needing to defend. He’s be great in the wingback position –
Think he’ll be a starter most of the season. Why the hell would he leave – makes no sense!
Totally agree, he should be starting the season as our RWB in front of Bellerin based on pre-season form.
Question if that will actually happen or not though…
The Whole team with the Manager and the Board will not be ready for Chelsea. And If they don’t sign more much needed players in areas we lack we will not be ready for the season as well
Two moments of ball watching and Sevilla punished our naive defense. We do not have problem scoring goals as we are up there with Man city and Chelsea in terms of goals scored; our problem is defending. I will be counting the number of goals we concede this coming season. If it its up to 40 goals, then we should forget about winning the EPL.
Cech Holding Mertesacker Monreal Kolasinac Bellerin Xhaka Ramsey Ozil Chamberlain Lacazette# It’s The Best We Can Put Out Come The Weekend. Damn Arsenal Is Doomed. Failures Everywhere. Holding, Monreal And Mertesacker? Disaster. Never Good Enough. I Just Hate Being An Arsenal Fan. Still Can’t Believe Lunatic Wenger Thinks His Central Midfielders Are Good Enough. #SICK#