Question marks as to who starts at CF if Nketiah is unavailable.
Mikel Arteta held an opening training session for the media to attended before our clash with Sevilla this Tuesday night, in his pre match press conference he was asked if there was any early team news and he ruled Gabriel Jesus out of contention after picking up a hamstring injury and also said there would be question marks around Martin Odegaard and his availability for the game on Tuesday and said he was uncertain if our captain would make the squad.
Also missing from the squad is Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe, Partey picking up a muscle injury that will see him missing for a few weeks and Smith Rowe picking up a knee injury just before the clash with West ham and is expected to be out for a few more weeks.
Eddie Nketiah wasn’t mentioned in the press conference but after not coming out for the open training session, questions were asked, and it’s been reported that Nketiah is nursing a knock from the game against Newcastle on the weekend and we won’t know if he’s going to be sit enough to play or in contention. He will need to pass a fitness test before the game, but we could very likely see him on the bench.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard not training.
No Eddie Nketiah either.
Arsenal attack looking very light all of a sudden.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) November 7, 2023
In the case that he doesn’t pass the fitness test, that leaves Arsenal and Arteta with some big choices to make. Already missing star striker Gabriel Jesus to injury, Nketiah had stepped up to the task and has been performing well but with both strikers set to be missing, it leaves Arsenal fans wondering who might play up top?
The obvious option for me is Kai Havertz, having played a centre forward for his country and Chelsea when he played there, he has the experience and knowledge of how to play in that position, having played there a lot in the past, it should come as second nature to him but it also would leave a big hole in the middle of the pitch, which yes, Veira could fill but so far this season Vieira has looked a tad shaky and hasn’t been playing that often.
The other option could be Leandro Trossard, although Arteta has been playing him on the left wing, Trossard is another player who is extremely versatile in attack and has played a lot of game at centre forward, with Martinelli primarily playing at LW, it’s made game time harder to come by for Trossard but with his experience in front of goal and how well he’s been performing since joining Arsenal this summer, Areta may look to keep Havertz in the midfield, where he’s played pretty well so far and rely on Trossard to score the goals.
A big decision or Arteta if Nketiah isn’t fit enough to start but with a lot of depth in the squad this season, Arteta does have a few options to choose from.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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Trossard has been so poor starting games this season, although if Odegaard is not available, I’d try him out in that role for once.
In regards to Eddie, I would use Havertz upfront. He offers something different with his height, and played very in that position against City in the Community Shield.
Sevilla are a bit physical. Our midfield will lack height if Havertz is used upfront Trossard is dimunitive and Havertz been left footed has deputize twice for Odegard now and he did well. Except if Viera can play Odegard role then Havertz can play 9. But Viera is light weight against Sevilla in midfield.
The options are Trossard and Nelson. Nelson has played CF before during his loan in Germany.
Havertz will be needed in midfield because Odegard is not yet fit.
I also think Trossard will be the best option to replace Nketiah
Havertz could also play there and Vieira could play in Odegaard’s position
Nketiah looked too small and fragile to play against Newcastle’s towering CBs, so I’m not surprised with his injury
When Havertz plays we have ten men he makes Pepe look a good signing. He has offered nothing and along with Raya who has made more mistakes so far this season than Ramsdale did in a whole season. What a waste of money Havetz has been but Arteta is too stubborn to admit this so he will play Havertz and Raya regardless of results or performance. Not optermistic this season
He has also tried, Jorghinho, vieta, Trossard, elnheny and it seems we dont have too much option rather than playing Havertz. Let’s hope he keeps on improving and we should not evaluate him with goal contributions as he is not playing in CF or CAM.
If Nketiah will be missing for one reason or another, It has to be the big German straight into his place, like it or not.
If Eddidies injured that’s a huge blow to the visitors lol
Play Martinelli or Trossard in the middle
They must be crapping themselves, especially with Ramos out.
Of the players we have for center forward, regardless of injuries, I think that only Haverz can play there. And even a starter. He just wants this to happen sometimes all the time. Anywhere else he will He is always far below average. Even with no one injured, the team is complete, he is the centre-forward and not only by necessity. Let Arteta finally see it. Let him remember the presence of Leverkusen
If it was my decision I’d play Martinelli at 9 with Trossard on the left and obviously Saka on the right. I have a feeling though that Arteta will play Havertz in the 9 role.
Trossard played well as a striker in Jesus’s absence last year. He actually produced in the position with assists, a better choice than Havertz.
Vieira is so light weight and timid he can play as a 10 if he is gifted with time and space. Otherwise he is a passenger at best.
Whoever is picked, the team really needs to get a win and 3 points. The performances lately and this year in general have been a big step backwards from last year.
It’s difficult to read Arteta but I suspect he will play Jorginho, Rice and Zinchenko in midfield, with Havertz at CF.If he leaves out Tomi he must be losing his mind.I wish he would switch Saka and Martinelli as they have become so predictable in their inverted roles.On their natural sides their crossing will improve and give Havertz a chance to use his height.
Good call grandad.
Trossard.
Martinelli. Havertz. Saka.
Rice. Jorginho.
Tomiyasu. Gabriel. Saliba. White.
Raya.
Ramsdale
White saliba gab. Tomi
Rice
Trossard. Zinc..
Saka. Martinelle
Havaretz
Kai at centre forward.
Kiwior rest Gabriel
Agree NG.
If Mikel dislikes Trossad, then start with 10 men! A fit Eddie and Kai offer nothing to the team.