The Questions for THE Quest by SB
The Quest for the title continues.
I believe this is the season where we are and will be considered serious title contenders. All the teams (title contenders) have strengthened and so did we. We strengthened defense. Petr Cech is the biggest part of this upgrade and Gabriel has settled in well and is raring to go. Regardless of transfers or no transfers we are a title team. (Hear me out).
The Questions:
GK: Cech –He could be the most important player for Arsenal this season. Huge upgrade. Ospina, a more than able backup.
Defense: Koscielny, Gabriel, Per, Chambers
The best part of this defense line-up is we have two pairs of mostly similar type of players.
Koscielny and Gabriel: From what I saw the 2 are very similar in style and speed. Defensive bosses kind of players.
Chambers and Per: The more static of the 4. Height is a similarity and a bonus. Chambers should be groomed to take over Per’s place in the long run.
So inspite of Per & Kos partnership, we would be best served (IMO) if we start pairing them with opposites Koscielny & Chambers; Per & Gabriel. This would ensure that our defensive stability and experience will not be hugely disturbed. This would be the building process for the future. This would also depend on the opposition.
LB: Monreal, Gibbs
Pretty much set. Monreal is good enough for another season at the least and Gibbs is the perceived longstanding successor to Cole and I hope this is his season.
RB: Debuchy, Bellerin
Settled and set.
The defensive line-up should be rotated/played as a team. For example if Chambers is playing then Debuchy should be the RB and for Per it should be Bellerin so that one complements the other in a way that their strengths are complementary. Similarly Monreal should be the LB when Gabriel is playing and Gibbs when Koscielny is there. This would ensure there would be enough experience to cover the back 4 at any given time.
DM/CM: Coquelin, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla
Similar situation to the defense 4 where Ramsey & Wilshere are very similar (B2B). But Santi is 30. So with an eye on the future we should start pairing them as Coq & Ramsey and Wilshere & Cazorla. Coq is the destroyer and Ramsey can be the deep lying playmaker/B2B. Now, Wilshere I believe should be groomed to be the mixture of Coq & Ramsey (he certainly has the ability to and also proved it with England last year). But to do this consistently he should be taught and nurtured about the defensive duties and so playing him as the defensive of the two should help him improve his overall game as he is pretty much proven in his attacking capabilities. Cazorla is the deep lying playmaker. Our version of Fabregas (of Chelsea). That being said our aim should be to groom Wilshere and Ramsey to be THE pairing in a couple of seasons.
AM: Ozil – Should be the first choice. Wilshere/Ramsey/Cazorla can cover in his absence.
LW: Sanchez – Nothing to say. He owns that role. But including a youngster (someone like Adelaide) as a backup would be a good investment for the future.
RW: Walcott, Oxlade
Well covered and stable. Oxlade can step in, in case Walcott is ST.
ST: Giroud, Welbeck, Akpom
The key area of concern. We need a proven and accomplished finisher.
Transfer Requirements: Striker is the primary objective but if Walcott is to be played consistently as a striker, we would need a world class winger. Also Akpom should be given a chance against the lesser teams.
The team is strong enough now to be able to challenge for the title but to actually win it and do well in Champions League, we need a world class goal scorer (either a winger or a striker depending on the plan for Walcott).
Rotating the players could be the way to go this season depending on the opposition. Progress in UCL should also be top priority.
I am very optimistic and hopeful of the coming season.
PS: I might be wrong. I am no manager. But this is my honest opinion as we need to try differently and aim for the best.
Cheers mates
Santosh Balivada