My predicted line up vs RC Lens
Arsenal play RC Lens on Tuesday night, after some injury scares and plenty to talk abut concerning goalkeepers, here’s how I expect us to line up away at Lens.
In goal, I’d pick David Raya, after a few weeks of Arteta somewhat playing around with the Goalkeepers and saying that he didn’t have a number 1 pick, I think the last few games speak for themselves.
Ramsdale had a great performance against Brentford in the League Cup but Raya wasn’t available for selection as his loan move from Brentford ruled him out. But Arteta went straight back to Raya in goal against Bournemouth on the weekend, pretty much confirming that Raya is his first choice.
In defence I’d stick with the same back four that been performing so well lately. With Zinchenko and White as full backs, Zinchenko has been playing the inverted full-back role perfectly and is used as that extra body in the midfield when we’re pushing forward.
Gabriel and Saliba have been nothing but solid since Arteta brought them back into defence after Thomas Partey was injured. Picking up three clean sheets out of the four games they’ve played together, both look to have picked up where they left off last season.
In midfield I’d be starting Rice and Odegaard as no Brainers, both bring so much to the squad and when we’ve played without them there seems to feel like there’s something missing, in control and the build up of play.
Rice has been unbelievable since coming in and sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves and Odegaard is just in a class of his own. I’d start Havertz again over Vieira, after getting off the mark against Bournemouth, I think now is the time we will see the best out of Haverts, with some new-found confidence, hopefully he gets going properly and with his experience in this competition, he gets in the starting line-up for me.
In attack, I’d start Gabriel Jesus up top, for me that’s his best position and where most of his goals come from. Saka was seen coming off with a knock against Bournemouth, but Arteta confirmed he is available for selection, so I would be starting him, but with the plan to bring him off in the second half to save his legs for the Manchester City game.
Trossard was also seen back in training, if fit enough I’d be starting him, he’s been class since joining us from Brighton and brings something different to the left wing. If not fit, I’d go for Nelson as he’s been impressive so far when he’s played there.
What’s your thoughts Gooners? Would you make any changes?
Daisy Mae
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Agree 💯
interestingly i saw 3 pundits pick 3 completely different XI for Lens
i think Arteta’s preferred/strongest XI is pretty clear now = Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinc, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
with all available except Martinelli, and no other injuries than Timber, the question really is whether Arteta chooses to rest anyone ahead of Man City
the gap in class to Lens should mean we should be able to that
that being the case I think Saka and Jesus could benefit from more recuperation time and avoid further injury risk before the weekend, likewise somewhat injury prone Zinc – all are critical to our best shot at Man City in a while
if possible Saliba too
therefore
———– Raya ————–
White ——- Kiwior ——- Gabriel —— Tomy
Odegaard ——- Rice ——– Havertz
Nelson ——- Nketiah ——- Trossard
Hope to see Ramsdale get his debut in the comp ,as for the rest the strongest 10 this is the CL not the EL .
I want us to beat Lens so badly
WE WILL!!!
COYG
Tough choices for selection, but I think he has to rest some players and have them 100% for City.
White and Zinchenko have played a lot in the last couple weeks, and Zinchenko is injury prone. I would rest him this week and play Kiwor, and rest White next week and play Tomiyasu as RB against City.
I’d rest Saka and Jesus completely, and Trossard, Nketiah, and Vieira can play in the attack. I would also look to replace Odegaard with ESR at the half, and replace Rice with Jorginho as well at the half.
We need a strong team to go against City, and would consider that with my selections.
We need Partey, Rice, and Odegaard in midfield against City, Saka and Jesus fit, and likely Trossard filling in for Martinelli.
Don’t really have the bodies to rotate in the defense, it really hurts with Timber out, and loaning Tierney seems a mistake now that we can rotate properly.
I would not allow Saka to travel and would rest Saliba for this one.
————————Raya
—–White—-Tomi——Magahlese—Kiwor
——‘——-Jorghino——Rowe
——–Junior—–‘Havertz——-Nelson
————-‘——-Tossard
Even a draw with this team is a good result
If there is one area MA can improve on its selecting a team that takes into consideration resting some players and giving game time to our second strings to keep them
hungry and sharp.. I hope Saka gets rested and Rice used
sparingly.. we should be 2 nil up at halftime
You echo my thought my guy. This the line up am hoping to see tonight. If we really wanna top this group we got to go with this.
Saliba is itching to go, so he will play. In right it must be Viera, Nketiah will keep his place. Don’t know about fitness of Jesus may be Nelson in left wing, kiwor left back, Ramsadale in goal. Rest pretty similar to usual lineup.
I’ve always believed in putting out a strong team and get a decent head start. I used to get annoyed at times with AW when he would chance it with an understrength 11 and then they would scurry to score. I don’t have stats, but it often felt that early rounds at home and in Europe were made more difficult than they should have been
During Wenger days most of our bench players used to be young stars with potential or old one with huge difference in quality. Now there is much competitive squad with everyone vying for starting role. Each of our squad players at present are expensive acquisition and there may not be much gulf of class. So time has change and we have to adapt according to the time
I would rather prefer to make at least 8 changes and keep them fresh for mancity game. Give 5 of our 1st teamers last 20-30 mins from bench for warmup against mancity. Arteta need to believe the players at his disposal or dump them if he doesn’t believe. To keep squad fresh is key which he fails badly as evidence by overusing Saka in Brentford game when he could have been substituted much earlier.
I disagree.
We need a strong team out to try and win the game. Arteta has not failed anyone except perhaps you.
Nketiah.
Nelson. Havertz. Fabio.
Smith-Rowe. Jorginho.
Kiwior. Gabriel. Saliba. Tomiyasu.
Ramsdale.
I believe Arteta will choose a stronger line up than this one though.