Mesut Ozil behind Aubameyang, Pepe and Lacazette set to terrify the Wolves defence.
For some, tomorrow could see the attacking line-up they have dreamed of all season. There is a good chance, a very good chance, that Unai Emery will field his strongest possible attack.
The defence more or less names itself as well in Tierney, Luiz, Sokratis and Bellerin. There is just the midfield that is tricky.
We know there will be no Xhaka and I would not be surprised to see Joe Willock take his place. Matteo Guendouzi is an almost certain starter alongside Ozil.
So, this is the team I reckon that the Spaniard will go with.
Leno
Tierney
Luiz
Sokratis
Bellerin
Willock
Gunedouzi
Ozil
Pepe
Aubameyang
Lacazette
On paper that looks a very strong side and probably the strongest team available to Emery right now.
Chambers will be unfortunate to miss out, Holding let himself down against Liverpool and Ceballos is pushed out by the return of Ozil.
Of course, Emery could easily surprise us. I mean, would it be a huge shock if he started Martinelli?
Would it be a huge surprise if he did not actually start Ozil but instead went with Lucas Torriera or Ceballos?
The thing is this, the pressure is so immense now on the manager that I feel he has little choice but to pick a team he thinks the fans will appreciate.
The problem with that is that the fans simply do not know what goes on in training. They do not know which players are struggling with tactics and so on. It is easy to play fantasy manager and pick the best names but it does not mean it is what is best for the team.
It is not the team I would pick, as an example, Ozil would get nowhere near my team and I would prefer Ceballos but that is me.
Anyway, the last four games I have got ten from eleven right each time, hoping this one will be eleven from eleven.
Looks about right, hopefully!
Not rating Ceballos yet but he’s not had a decent run.
This game is going to be lost or won down the flanks and in midfield. Hope Emery gets this one right… Feel sorry for whoever is playing left back, but Traores gonna skin em alive for the 90…
I think we will see:
Leno
Bellerin (if fit)/Chambers
Sokratis
Luiz
Tierney
Pepe
Torreira/Ceballos
Willock/Guendouzi
Saka/Martinelli
Ozil/Laca
Auba
Same 4411 setup he has used the last couple of games and they are the combinations he seems to be settling on. If Bellerin is fit Chambers may replace a CB but think Emery will stick with the pairing he has and Chambers will be kept back incase Bellerin/KT look knackered.
I would like to see Ozil but not sure if he will start. Also Willock played the full match on Wed so he should probably start on the bench.
This is a perfect opponent for us now at home, let’s hope they get all 3 points.
Will be interesting to see what will happen with Xhaka. He should certainly lose his captaincy. He should have never been named captain in the first place. UE let the players choose the captain. That’s on him!
Jsgr10, I don’t think there is anything wrong with allowing the players to choose their captain. Isn’t it better for the players to choose their leader whom they will respect than imposing one on them. If the players had chosen a different player, say Lacazette, we wouldn’t be complaining. Would we? By the way, don’t we as citizens choose our national leaders. So what makes a club captain more important than say the PM
Since Bellerin played the full 90 minutes at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup match last Wednesday night, but Chambers was rested for the match, I think I’ll go for Chambers who is fresh to start the match at right back instead of going for the could be fatigued Bellerin to start.
My fantasy Manager Arsenal 4231 formation starts and 7 man Gunners bench for Wolves are below stated.
Starts:
Leno;
Chambers Sokratis Luiz Kolasinac;
Guendouzi Torreria;
Pepe Ozil Aubameyang;
Lacazette.
Bench:
Macey Bellerin AMN Tierney Willock Ceballos Martinelli.
Tierney instead of Kolasinac…
Agree except Kolasinac
Samuel, I agree with your selection except Kolasinic. I will play Tierney instead. Besides, your bench is terrible. No CB on the bench? What happens when one of the CBs is injured?
I have said this before and it needs repeating here. There is nothing wrong with the players choosing the captain. Do we really know how every captain in every professional league in the world is appointed? Was this case a total anomaly in the annals of football?
Whether the decision by the players to choose Granit was the correct one at the time can be debated with 20/20 hindsight, but there was unity in the dressing room and this is what very coach tries to achieve.
Emery himself would have chosen Granit in any event, so I do not understand the criticism of the way it was done.
We have the players but side to side, backwards and horrible defense will destroy everything. Emery is the problem. His idea of football is killing everything. We should be able to compete every week but shambolic football mentality from the manager will undo us.
I’m I the only one noticing faults around ‘Kolasinac’ he over laps alot and leaves his position wide open huh.
At times I do not blame our CB’s.
Kolasinac creates alotta problem for ’em as well. Imo.
I’m starting to love this weekly guessing game. Emery knows how to keep us entertained. I think emery will play his best team this week. What ever that is.