So, with domestic Football on a winter break, many pundits have been submitting their team of the season so far.
So I thought I would have a go ….
GK – Nick Pope
Kind of simplified this by giving this to the keeper who has conceded the least goals, keeping 7 clean sheets and with one of the highest save to shots ratios in the division.
In other words, this isn’t a goalie who has little to do in games.
Signed in the summer for just 10 million. A bargain.
LB – Zinchenko
Okay, I’m aware injuries have meant he’s hasn’t played as much as he wants to, but I wanted to acknowledge how our signings from Man City have changed the mindset in North London.
With the youngest squad in the division, Arsenal didn’t have enough leaders in the last campaign to handle the pressure in the race for the top 4.
A dressing room clearly needed help with experienced pros with a winning mentality.
You can tell by his mannerisms when watching on the side-lines that he leads by example.
On the pitch, his tactical understanding is world class. Starting at left back, he times to perfection when to step into midfield and can pick a pass or two.
CB- Saliba
From day one has just stood out as a defender who has everything, size, pace, reading of the game, composure on the ball, won’t be bullied.
At 21 years old will only get better.
To be fair was showing this form on loan in France which begs the question, is Arteta a genius for letting the centre back develop in the comfort of his home nation, or could he have helped us sooner (not like we were doing well without him)?
For the duration of his contract has been not in North London, meaning his deal expires in 2024 (officially next year but we have an extra 12-month option) and the biggest clubs in the world will be keeping tabs.
CB – Martinez
4-0 at Brentford, 6 at the Etihad, Martinez has been part of a back 4 which has been humiliated.
Yet the more Ten Hag has tried to implement his ethos the more crucial Martinez has become.
He was outstanding in their win over Liverpool and contributed to clean sheets against Saints, West Ham and Leicester.
At a time where the role of a defender can be over complicated, Martinez appears to like the art of defending.
Not bad for a player harshly judged for his size.
RB – Trippier
Any right back who has contributed to 9 clean sheets would be a contender for team of the season.
Yet he stands out for his world class delivery and set piece skills, contributing to 9 goals.
A lot has been mentioned regarding Newcastle becoming the richest side in the UK but it doesn’t mean they don’t find value.
Trippier cost just 12 million!
CM – Xhaka
So, I know Xhaka’s success this season has been promoted by not having the sole responsibility of being the DM.
With a Partey next to him, it’s allowed the Swiz captain to make runs forward and get into attacking areas.
I don’t have that in this 11, but the tactical understanding of Zinchenko knowing when to push into midfield frees up Xhaka.
Those two footballing brains have caught opposition managers by surprise.
CM – KDB
Has contributed an incredible 12 goals in 14 League games this season.
Stats have been phenomenal for years but now will only increase with a target man to aim for.
Something he hasn’t had in years.
LM -Trossard
7 goals and three assists so far, has become a big-time player for Brighton including a hat trick at Anfield.
He plays with zero fear and is surely destined for a move to a bigger club?
His agent has said he spoke to Arsenal before moving to the Amex.
AM – Maddison
The only bright point in a dismal season for Leicester, which has only recently seen them get away from the relegation zone.
One of the few Foxes to play without fear, Maddison has relished the responsibility of being the man his club look to for a moment of inspiration.
Even his own manager at one point seemed to misunderstand his attitude, but Maddison possesses a good kind of arrogance.
Form led to public backing for him to be selected for the World Cup. Unlucky to have the competition he has in the number 10 role for England.
RM – Almiron
Since he arrived in English Football Almiron’s work rate and effort could never be questioned.
His quality in the final third could have been though, until this season. (ask Jack Grealish).
Not just is the player scoring goals, the quality of them has been breath-taking.
Meanwhile he hasn’t lost his work rate.
He clearly has a manager who has put an around his shoulder and got the player buzzing with confidence.
Striker – Haaland
What can I write that hasn’t been written by so many?
18 goals in 13 matches, 3 hat tricks already and individual performance of the season in the Manchester derby….
Who would you pick in your Team Of The Season so far….
Dan Smith
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I’d prefer to select the players based on our 4-3-3 formation:
……………………….. Pope
White . Saliba . Magalhaes . Zinchenko
………………………… Partey
………..Odegaard ………….. De Bruyne
Saka ……………………………………………. Trossard
………………………… Haaland
GK – Nick Pope
RWB – Reece James
CB – William Saliba
CB – Sven Botman
CB – Lisandro Martinez
LWB – Diogo Dalot
CM – Rodrigo Bentancour
CM – Granit Xhaka
RW – Miguel Almiron
ST – Erling Haaland
LW – Leandro Trossard
I’ve tried not to just pick obvious players or just go for Arsenal players.
Our team conceded joint least goals so Arsenal defensive third has to figure prominently, we control games and have a decent contribution in that department.
Ramsdale
White – Saliba – Magalhaes – Zinchenko
Partey – K D B
Saka Xhaka Martinelli
Haaland
Our starting eleven is doing so well just now am struggling to drop anyone, but our league position confirm my selection
Haaland.
Trossard. Debruyne. Almirón.
Bentancur. Partey.
Trippier. Martinez. Saliba. White.
Pope.
Am i the only one not overtly impressed with Zinchenkos performances for us this season? the times he has played he seemed to get dispossessed more often then not, I still feel Tierney is are strongest option at LB
Zinchenko fits Artetas system ,Tierney is an old school left back that roams up and down the flank ,the same applys to the right side of here white comes into a back 3 .
I would say time to sell Tierney while he’s not injured,could get 20-30 million
Don’t know how Zivchenko could make any team of the season when he’s only played three games I like him as a valuable addition to the squad and feel he will make a valuable contribution as a midfielder later in the season. Tierney remains my choice at fullback though. We need one decent overlapping wing back. Still on a high watching Japan defeat Germany last night. From an Arsenal perspective there were three points of interest. Firstly, our man Tomiyasu came on early in the second half and shut down Germany’s dominance in the Japanese penalty area. He’s the real deal. One point of concern though is that he went down late in the game and although he tried to put a positive spin on the injury, it is worrying. The second point was Asano who scored Japan’s winning goal and got the better of
some of the world’s best defenders. He is now 26 years old and you have to feel sorry for him because of the visa issues he had after signing with Arsenal. Without that set back he could have turned out to have been an important acquisition for our club. The third point was Serge Gnarby. He didn’t impress me at all last night and Arsenal should look elsewhere in finding midfield reinforcements.
Pope
Ben White Saliba Gabs Tomi
Partey KDB Xhaka
Saka Gabby M.
Halland
Pope was always a good GK, has a better temperament than Ramsdale, hence my pick over Rams.
Manager – Mikel
Dan who would you pick as manager?
Howe
Without a doubt
@Dan, anything else but what you have, let’s see where Howe finishes by the end of the season. This is how most people were praising Tottenham team and writing Arsenal players off. I know it’s still early to decide but I will always appreciate what I have
Zinchenko is a better fit in Arteta’s system while Tierney is a better left-back/defender imo. They are very different players. I think Zinchenko is a far more intelligent player and his leadership is important to us, while Tierney is a dynamic left-back and terrific defender.