It is the first international break of the season and Arsenal are rooted to the 20th spot in the Premier League standings after getting off to their worst start to a league campaign in over seven decades.
Now that we have got the hard facts out of the way, it is a good time to say that not all is doom and gloom for the Gunners.
We are just 3 games into the season. The Gunners have been worst hit by COVID since the start of the season. They have faced the top two challengers for the Premier League title this season already in Chelsea and Manchester City. They also had to face a sprightly Brentford side away who were bouncing upon their return to the Premier League.
Of course the above cannot be used as an excuse to placate fans but it is indeed an outcome which could have happened to most teams in the top-flight given the circumstances.
But Mikel Arteta knows there are deep rooted issues which cannot be brushed under the carpet citing the above factors. The Gunners have once again looked listless in midfield and at the back. The body language has been shocking especially to going behind in games.
But the former Manchester City assistant manager knows he has the tools at his disposal to conjure a turnaround. The team is not good enough to finish in the top 4 but it still has the quality to burst into the top half of the table in the coming weeks.
Today we will look at the strongest possible Arsenal lineup Arteta could choose when all the players are fit and available.
STRONGEST ARSENAL LINEUP (4-3-3)
GOALKEEPER
Bernd Leno has not inspired confidence even though he has pulled off the occasional big saves here and there.
Arsenal made a gaffe letting go of Emi Martinez last summer. But they have brought in Aaron Ramsdale for £30m including add-ons.
The decision has flummoxed many but it seems the team management prefer the Englishman’s skill-set to the German shot stoppers’.
Even though it is a coin toss for us, Arteta could well hand Ramsdale the chance to feature in the Arsenal lineup sooner than expected.
DEFENCE
Arsenal spent £19.8m to sign versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on the deadline day to replace Hector Bellerin. Cedric Soares might get a few more opportunities but we feel the Japanese international has the quality to make the position his own in light of the existing options in the team.
Ben White is Arsenal’s costliest defender till date at £50m and will feature in the Arsenal lineup regularly. He had a tough outing against Brentford but needs to be given time to settle down at his new club who are in a pickle of their own.
Gabriel is their second strongest defender, at least on reputation and the management will hope he and White manage to strike a fruitful partnership. The central defence has long been a problem area for the Gunners but they now have a pairing which has the tools to be a decent shield in front of the goalkeeper.
Kieran Tierney has been their best player for some time now and is an automatic choice at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Granit Xhaka has disappointed the fans and the club time and again. His mentality and ability to play games under pressure for a club which is itself under pressure has been questioned time and again. Arteta might have to include him down the line once again but he does not make the strongest Arsenal lineup anymore for a lot of people associated with the club.
New signing Sambi Lokonga has looked good in the limited time we have seen him and he will keep his place in the side for the foreseeable future.
A fit-again Thomas Partey will feature in the Arsenal lineup alongside him in a double pivot.
Last season’s loan star Martin Odegaard has been signed permanently by the club and he will look to make the no. 10 position his own at the Emirates.
ATTACK
Nicolas Pepe will undoubtedly see game time this season but as of now, Bukayo Saka should get a start on the right-wing in the Arsenal lineup.
The lively and energetic Emile Smith Rowe should be handed a run of starts now. Odegaard’s arrival could see him shift onto the left of the attack.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the best available option to lead the line with Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli providing back-up.
