I think that it can be taken to the bank that Unai Emery will be making changes for the Europa League clash at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening.
What those changes will be is very hard to determine for a variety of reasons which include Emery wanting to give the youngsters a run-out, keeping certain players fresh for the weekends Premier League game against Aston Villa or simply dropping players because of their performances over the last three games.
I do not feel that the Spaniard wants to take too many risks because the pressure on him would increase if there is another loss and so it is a likely that he will put out a mixed team of seasoned first team players with a sprinkling of youth.
I do expect him to make changes at the back and both David Luiz and Sokratis are likely to be dropped which could see either a start for Rob Holding or a return for Calum Chambers and possibly Shkodran Mustafi.
If I had to hazard a guess I would say that Emery will go with Chambers and Mustafi and have Holding on the bench.
Midfield is tricky, will he start with Ceballos or Xhaka? I am not sure he will and one or both could be on the bench and it would not surprise me to see a midfield trio of Joe Willock, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.
I can see Mesut Ozil starting for the second game running and suspect he will rest Aubameyang and it is a strong possibility that Emery will start with Martinelli, Nelson and Pepe upfront.
As I said earlier, this is really guesswork and a lot will depend on what Emery has to say in his pre-match press conference.
I remember when some fools were suggesting will sell auba now he’s all we have left and we can’t risk him getting injured on some stupid competition we may not even win, I think we should use Nelson martinelli and Pepe upfront, I really don’t care about the midfield because they are all average except for ceballos, I will like to see holding partner sokratis in defence, I think a calm defender like holding can bring the best of sokratis, I will play anyone except Niles at Rb and am sure Martinez will be in goal.
Martinez
Mustafi. Holding chambers kolas
Willock gunndez
Ozil
Pepe. Martinellie nelson
I believe he would revert to a three-CB formation after seeing his defense’s fragility and all Gunners that used to play in Bundesliga might start:
……………………Leno
…..Chambers . Sokratis . Luiz
Niles . Torreira . Xhaka . Kolasinac
…………………… Ozil
………..Pepe ……………… Aubameyang
It seems to me a three-CB formation could be a very good idea. We need a new approach and we need to get AMN out the RB role. He simply can’t defend like a proper RB. We also need more strength in midfield to keep the opposition from running straight from their own third into our third, and 5 in midfield will help.
So a formation change would be nice to see. Who should play is another matter.
Whilst on things German;
Apparently;
“Gladbach fans want Granit Xhaka back.
Borussia Monchengladbach fans are hoping Granit Xhaka’s tough time at Arsenal could see the midfielder return to Germany.”
TAXI !
Sod the taxi AJ, I will drive him there!
I would really like to see some of our youth..very intrigued to see martinelli play & long enough time on the pitch. Looks very good.
I think he will rest a few players and start players who haven’t had much play time in last match or so ie Torreira, Mustafi, Martinelli/Saka
I’m sure Tinkerman is formulating strategy how to counter Frankfurt from scoring. Bah!
A normal manager, under the circumstances will be bold to try out new defensive midfield and keep the regulars fresh (to put out another shitty display in EPL).
Martinez
Chambers. Holding. Mustafi. Kolasinac
Niles. Luiz.
Willock. Ozil. Martinelli
Reiss
I know it’s radical, but why not try Luiz & Niles as defensive midfielders?
Get a new manager. If not have Wenger back.
O.K. GB, we’ll share the driving.
Make it a mini-bus, we’ll drop off 3 or 4 other “not up to it’s” on the way !