WHAT ARSENAL NEED TO FIX THEIR TEAM.
WE ALSO LOOK AT WHY THEY DON’T NEED A NEW COACH AND WHY THEY WON’T HAVE TO SPLASH UPWARDS OF 100 MILLION IN THE TRANSFER MARKET TO DO IT.
Arsenal’s 2–1 loss to Villareal was not taken to kindly by Arsenal fans. But people should not be reactionary. 1, there’s still a second leg. 2 Villareal are not that great away from home. 3, they have an away goal.
However it is no secret that Arsenal have not been playing the best football. Their offensive record this season is worse than Emery’s and their matches have generally been drab. But there’s one thing Arsenal can look forward to.
Arteta doesn’t have enough players to play his style. When both Odegaard and Smith Rowe are absent they lose out heavily in attack. When both Xhaka and Partey are absent the midfield dies. When Saka,Pepe,Martinelli and Aubameyang miss out, the wide areas fail.
When there’s no Gabriel and Luiz, the back line fails. When there’s no Tierney, they have to change shape. When there’s no Lacazette, they lack a focal point in attack.
This is why I believe it is too early to boot a manager that has already delivered two trophies and is still well on course for a third in less than two years in management.
If he can do this with the likes of Elneny and Ceballos. I’m sure with a better bench he could do more. His team could look more lively with a better bench and a more consistent starting 11.
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno, Matthew Ryan.
Having lost Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa after having convinced themselves that Leno was better, Martinez has looked like a proper world class goalkeeper as I explained here.
Leno meanwhile has looked lost in this Arsenal side with mistakes here and there. That, coupled with being heavily linked with a move back to Germany at Borussia Dortmund means Arsenal might want to look into a goalkeeper who can start for them.
They could look at the Premier League’s bottom 5 teams. They’ve already taken Ryan on a loan deal from Brighton, though I believe they should have signed Sanchez instead. He’s younger,better on the ball and starting quality. However Ryan is not a bad option as a number 2.
With Martin Dubravka back, they could price Karl Darlow from Newcastle. Sam Johnstone is also an option as West Brom are practically relegated. Ramsdale is a teenager and therefore won’t be priced away easily.
However the best option from within the Premier League is Alphonse Areola. Areola’s Fulham side are practically relegated much like West Brom, but much like Johnstone the French international has been one of very few positives for this Fulham side.
The France number 3 and former Real Madrid and PSG man has all the tools to be a world class goalkeeper and is only 28(which for a goalkeeper is young) He’s in fact the youngest option here(bar Sanchez and Ramsdale).
In Spain, there’s Barcelona’s Neto,Bilbao’s Simon,Villareal’s Rulli,Valencia’s Cillessen. However they would all either demand large contracts or large transfer fees or both.
There are other options from other leagues but at the moment these are the ones who Arsenal are most capable of getting. Areola however is the best.
Right back:Hector Bellerin,Cedric Soares,Calum Chambers
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may have fallen out of favor at the Emirates. He also may be leaving for PSG. Chambers and Cedric have gained some favor but they are not without flaws.
Cedric is decent at best while Chambers is one dimensional in attack. Having all three would be the best idea for Arsenal as they can offer different things. But in the event Bellerin leaves and with the other two being injury prone they can look into other options.
Argentine Gonzalo Montiel is one. He’s good offensively,solid defensively and while he is already 24 and yet to make the switch to Europe, he is worth the risk. Similar to Pablo Mari.
They could also try convincing Maitland Niles to stay but considering he wants to play in midfield and Arteta doesn’t trust him there, it’s unlikely. But if he joins and gets games in midfield but also in other regions it would be smart.
Noussair Mazraoui could also join. Mazraoui is decent in attack but his best quality is that he’s a defensive monster. 6 feet tall,fast and strong he could give Arsenal the defensive solidity they’ve lacked at right back since Bacary Sagna left for Manchester City in 2014.
Another option is PSV’s Denzel Dumfries, who is well rounded much like Montiel and still only 23.
They could also look to prize players away from their rivals. Leicester’s James Justin,United’s Diogo Dalot and Tottenham’s Juan Foyth(currently on loan at Villareal). All of them are young,talented and versatile.
Another option is Barcelona’s Emerson(currently on loan at Betis). But with Roberto in poor form and leaving the only way Barca would let Emerson go is if a large sum of money were to be produced.
There’s also PSG’s Colin Dagba ,who is young and talented and could be involved in a swap deal for Bellerin. Another PSG player is former Schalke man Thilo Kehrer but he’d cost a bit more.
Right center back: David Luiz,Rob Holding,Calum Chambers.
David Luiz is a sure starter for Arsenal when fit. Despite being 34, age doesn’t seem to get to him when he plays. Plus whether he makes mistakes or not (which all center backs do), he is Arsenal’s best and most experienced center back.
Where it gets shaky is from here on out. Arsenal fans want to invest in another center back like Fulham’s Joachim Andersen. Personally however I believe Holding is good enough.
He’s not the best but considering Arsenal give away very few chances and mostly concede from mistakes,set pieces and just all round bad fortune, Arsenal shouldn’t really be too key on pricing away another center back.
They still have Saliba and Mavropanos out on loan and even with injuries Chambers,Kehrer and Foyth(if they sign them) are all capable of filling in.
Left center back: Pablo Mari,Gabriel Magalhaes
Pablo Mari and Gabriel Magalhaes have impressed at points this season. Both are good in the air,good ball players decently fast and solid. And as I have highlighted, defense is not the problem for Arsenal. The two can serve Arsenal and Arteta and are good enough.
Left back: Kieran Tierney,Cedric Soares.
Kieran Tierney is a top class left back,soon to be world class but he’s had injury problems. Same can be said for Cedric who is naturally a right back.
Whether or not they sign the likes of Dalot or Justin who can all play left back, they need a proper left footed left back who can back up and even compete with Kieran Tierney.
The best pick is Algerian Ramy Bensebaini. While other top clubs looking into him may be a problem,the Algerian is still worth the buy. Very good offensively. So strong defensively that he can even fill in at center back.
Argentine Facundo Medina is young(22 while Ramy is 26) and can play both positions. They could also go for Lisandro Martinez(another Argentine but there’s too much competition). Marcos Acuna is not likely to leave Sevilla.
Tagliafico is on City’s radar meaning he would be hard to sign. Young Owen Wijndal is a very good pick but that is if the top clubs don’t look at him as much.
They could also price Ait-Nouri from Angers(currently on loan at Wolves). Another talented young player. There’s also Benfica’s Grimaldo who is an old friend of Bellerin’s from La Masia.
There’s also Juan Miranda of Barcelona (currently on loan at Betis). Another talented young player. There’s also Getafe’s Marc Cucurella.
The best options however are Bensebaini and Grimaldo(if it’s those in their prime) or Medina and Nouri(if it’s youngsters.)
Central defensive midfield: Thomas Partey,Mohamed Elneny.
Thomas Partey is a world class midfielder and is in his prime. He has all the qualities of a great midfielder and could serve Arsenal whether it be as a pivot or part of a double pivot.
However his main backup in the role is Mohamed Elneny. Elneny has many qualities, but he lacks the offensive passing and ball carrying that could help create chances for Arsenal. Therefore he is not worthing keeping and must be replaced with immediate effect.
Matteo Guendouzi seemed to have found great form early on in the season at Hertha. He would be perfect as an understudy to Partey who can teach him how to handle himself in the role even better.
But considering his fallout with Arteta he is not a guarantee in the position. Miguel Azeez is to inexperienced to throw into the dugout meaning they’ll have to sign someone if they don’t trust Guendouzi.
Enter Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi. They only need 1 of the two. Leicester are difficult to negotiate with as Chelsea,Manchester City and Manchester United would no all to well.
Chillwell - 50 million , Mahrez - 60 million,Maguire -80 million, Drinkwater-30 million. In fact Chelsea were very lucky to get Kante on the cheap.
40 million for Ndidi considering he’ll be backup to Partey is not worth it. Mendy however would be cheaper and okay with a rotational role.
They could price Kalvin Phillips away from Leeds but that seems unlikely. Douglas Luiz doesn’t seem to be returning to City any time soon and could therefore join them. Neves would be too expensive.
Dendoncker is a more left field option but seems to be unlikely for Arsenal at the moment.
The best options from within the Premier League however are Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and in the event that he is priced away, Fulham’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.(yes you have to say it in full)
Both are very similar to Partey. Tall,press resistant,good ball carriers,good passers,good pressers,fast,intelligent. Both are also performing well in seemingly bad teams. Bissouma is also a threat from long range.
There is little competition from outside the Premier League for them and from within only Man United have shown real conviction to sign any one of the two.
From outside the Premier League, there’s Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios who’s talented and still only 22. There’s Aurelien Tchouameni of Monaco but they would face a lot of competition.
There’s Lyon’s Bruno Guimares. There’s also former Arsenal man Jeff Reine — Adelaide of Lyon (currently on loan at Nice). There’s also young starlet Boubackar Camara of Marseille. Granada’s Yangel Herrera(on loan from Man City).
The best option in my view from outside England, is Exequiel Palacios. He’s very solid and energetic. He’s a good passer and presser and he’s the one they would face the least competition in signing. Plus in the event he has a good Copa America with Argentina it would justify his arrival even more.
Central midfield/Double pivot: Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos.
Granit Xhaka(despite his mistakes) has been Arsenal’s best midfielder the past two seasons. He is press resistant, solid defensively(though not immune to the occasional mistake) and a good passer of the ball(though not the best).
Unlike Elneny he passes forward. He is also a very good leader. Plus he is willing to occupy multiple tactical roles. As a pivot or even a more traditional reserved number 8, he would serve them well.
Arsenal fans have gone for his head this season but there was a point where Arsenal had never won a game where he hadn’t played. He is the heart of Arteta’s system at the moment. He can’t be got rid off.
Arsenal can however look to reduce the complacency around him. No offense but the only reason Xhaka is never benched is because the next alternative is Ceballos.
Ceballos is a talented ball carrier and ball recycling midfielder. But for someone with his ability he always looks for the safer option. Sideways and back. That never helps Arsenal.
Look at Kovacic, another good carrier of the ball. Kovacic always looks for the most offensive option. And that’s why he’s rarely benched for Chelsea. Another thing about him is that he offers so much more defensively. Ceballos does not.
Thankfully for Arsenal, Ceballos himself has (albeit indirectly) said that he’s not coming back.
Lucas Torreira would be the perfect replacement. He carries the ball just as well. He looks forward always. He’s way better defensively. Some even likened him to Ng’olo Kante. But Arteta doesn’t seem to trust him.
So they’ll have to sign. Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia is the cheapest option. He’s a good midfielder. The most creative player in the championship. He can play in a deep lying role. He’s only 23. He can play as an 8 in a 4–3–3 or a 10.
He can also fill in as a left back. His signing would be paramount to Arsenal especially if Arteta were to use a 4–3–3.
Maitland Niles is also an option here. He’s impressed in the role he left Arsenal in order to be capable of playing at West Brom. He’s very similar to Buendia but he can also be an interchanging winger or full back. He’d be perfect and he’s only 23.
Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer is also an option. They would only face competition from Spurs. He’s shown he can play in a deeper role despite making his name as a 10 and he’s very good offensively still.
Gladbach’s Florian Neuhaus is also an option but would be too expensive. Suat Serdar of Schalke would be cheap but his loyalty to the club is not likely to be broken especially considering Schalke’s current situation.
Mikel Merino of Sociedad,Carles Alena of Barcelona(currently on loan at Getafe),Carlos Soler of Valencia and Joan Jordan(though he’d be expensive) of Sevilla are all possible options.
They could also price Adrien Rabiot from Juventus as he’s rumored to be leaving. But he has too many qualities and is a world class midfielder meaning they’d face a lot of competition. There’s also the fact that he demands high wages that Arsenal may not be able to pay.
Fabian Ruiz of Napoli could be an option but Napoli are hard to negotiate with and he also has suitors. Lyon’s Thiago Mendes is also an option.
The best non Premier League option however is Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer.
Attacking midfield: Martin Odegaard,Emil Smith Rowe.
This is one position where Arsenal are blessed. Both of these players are talented. Creative,innovative,imaginative . Good movement,good passing,good ball carrying,good crossing,hardworking and versatile.
They can both play in a midfield three, as 10s or false nines, out wide and are both young and constantly improving. The biggest benefit for Arsenal being that while Odegaard is needed at Madrid he is likely to come back for another stint.
In the event however that he does not return, Arsenal could look elsewhere. They won’t need to spend a lot on the position. Therefore options like Aouar won’t be considered.
Barcelona’s Riqui Puig(on loan though as he wouldn’t be willing to permanently leave Barcelona) is a very good option. Also considering Koeman doesn’t trust him and will not leave for at least another 6 months he won’t really be against the move.
Sevilla’s Oscar Rodriguez is also a good shout. They were looking to sign Betis’ Nabil Fekir in a 27 million deal but it isn’t paramount. They just need a player to fill in until they can find a more permanent option. Fekir as that permanent option isn’t worth it really.
Eibar’s 19 year old Bryan Gil is a worthy long term option. He can play as a 10 or on the wing and while they will face competition from the big Spanish teams, he is worth it.
They could get Said Benrahma for a season or so but he seems set to join West Ham. Neto is more of a winger than a 10 but could serve them. However he’s too expensive.
Podence is cheaper and more of a 10 but Wolves are lacking in the position and can’t sell him without being able to lineup a replacement.
However the best and most achievable Premier League option is West Brom’s Matheus Perreira. He’d be willing to leave as West Brom are getting relegated. That would also drop his price tag and he’s similar to the others and only 22.
Right wing: Nicolas Pepe,Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal’s young gem and record signing have both performed decently well these season. Pepe is a ball hog but bar that he is very good at beating is man,crossing and has an eye for goal. Same for Saka. They can also play both wings and they’re unlikely to leave. This is another position where Arsenal are blessed. Not to mention they have Riess Nelson still.
Strikers: Alexandre Lacazette,Eddie Nketiah.
This is one position where Arsenal definitely need to lineup a replacement. Nketiah has looked lost this season and while he might find himself again he’s not inspiring. But Balogun as a backup isn’t really a problem for Arsenal.
The problem comes in at Lacazette. He is likely to leave Arsenal this year,despite his form and Arsenal don’t have a replacement. They could use Aubameyang or Martinelli as a 9 but they can’t offer what Lacazette does.
With the shortage of strikers, they could look into Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic but there’s too much competition for him. Stuttgart’s Congolese striker Silas Wamangituka is an option.
The best option especially for the long term is Frankfurt’s Portugese striker Adrien Silva. He’d cost 40 million and they’d face competition from big teams especially considering his form but they can try him. He’s also failed at Ac Milan but he can be tested and be worth it.
They could also go after Salzburg’s Jeremy Doku. Huesca’s Rafa Mir(currently on loan from Wolves) is an option. Youssef En Nesyri of Sevilla and Alexander Isak of Sociedad are options but would be expensive.
Left Wingers : Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,Gabriel Martinelli, Willian.
Another position where Arsenal are blessed. Despite their shaky form this season. And none of them are likely to leave. Their goal threats, they have all the qualities a world class winger should have can play both wings and as nines.
Willian however, despite the large contract should be sold,released sued even. It’s criminal that he’s been able to even play for Arsenal. His dreadful performances don’t warrant his spot in the squad.
SO WHAT’S THE FINAL SQUAD?
A: WITH SIGNINGS AND SALES.
Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola, Matthew Ryan.
Right back : Noussair Mazraoui, Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers.
Right center back: David Luiz, Rob Holding.
Left center back: Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari.
Left back : Kieran Tierney, Facundo Medina.
Central defensive midfield: Thomas Partey, Yves Bissouma.
Central midfield: Granit Xhaka, Emiliano Buendia.
Attacking midfield: Martin Odegaard,Emil Smith-Rowe.
Right wing: Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka.
Striker: Andre Silva, Folarin Balogun.
Left wing: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli.
B: WITH FEWER CHANGES.
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno, Matthew Ryan.
Right back : Hector Bellerin, Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers.
Right center back: David Luiz, Rob Holding.
Left center back: Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari.
Left back : Kieran Tierney, Facundo Medina.
Central defensive midfield: Thomas Partey, Matteo Guendouzi.
Central midfield: Granit Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Attacking midfield: Martin Odegaard,Emil Smith-Rowe.
Right wing: Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka.
Striker: Alexandre Lacazette, Folarin Balogun.
Left wing: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli.
WHAT’S THE STARTING XI?
Mikel Arteta will want to mix a counter attacking mid block with a possession based system. So he’ll use either a 4–3–3 or a 4–2–3–1 and considering 1 number 10 must start, 1 number 9 must start, 2 wingers must start he’ll most definitely not use a back three again which is good as it doesn’t fit Arsenal.
Squad A Lineup 1(a).
Squad A Lineup 1(b).
Squad A Lineup 2(a).
Squad A Lineup 2(b).
Squad B Lineup 1(a).
Squad B Lineup 1(b).
Squad B Lineup 2(a).
Squad B Lineup 2(b).
SO WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SALES AND SIGNINGS?
Facundo Medina is compulsory. He’s on Man United’s radar but he’s young affordable and can play as a center back. Plus a Kieran Tierney backup is important.
Mohamed Elneny and Dani Ceballos have not served Arsenal well and should leave. Lucas Torreira is talented but will most likely leave. Considering Guendouzi is getting sold, Yves Bissouma must arrive.
As they don’t want to lose any money,Lacazette should at least get an extension. Lacazette might not have a lot of fan fair but there is a reason why he cost 50 million. While his goalscoring form has not been the same like at Lyon he’s served Arsenal well in other areas.
Willian should be sold. He’s terrible to say the least. Despite what reactionary Arsenal fans say, they don’t need a new midfield or defense they just need a much better bench.
Plus considering there’s no Europa league football for them next season they can pride themselves on knowing they’ll have a full squad for the better part of the season not drained by European football.
It will cost maximum 110 million. 40 m for Lacazette’s replacement,40 for Bissouma who will push both Partey and Xhaka for a spot in the team and 30 for Medina. Then they’ll bring back AMN and give him chances.
A SHORT SIDE NOTE ABOUT ARTETA.
Arteta is a potentially world class coach. Question his lineups and player choices you may but he is one of the top 3 best young managers in the world.
His mid block might seem boring but it proves that he can defend. Arsenal have one of the top 5 best defenses in the league. Many of the goals they’ve conceded have been own goals,penalties and set pieces.
Such goals are not easy to prevent even and especially set pieces. Set piece goals are not always a matter of your defenses quality as shown last week in the PSG-Man City game.
Despite having the best defense in Europe this season that still couldn’t prevent Marquinhos(who is devastatingly efficient at scoring set piece headers) from getting onto to Di Maria’s cross and flicking it into the bottom left corner past Ederson.
His choice to keep Leno over Martinez wasn’t the best but Leno is still a very capable goalkeeper. He has what Martinez lacks and Martinez has what he lacks. Though I’d still argue that currently Martinez is better.
When Luiz,Tierney,Partey,Xhaka,Odegaard or Smith-Rowe,Aubameyang, Saka or Pepe and Lacazette are all on the pitch at the same time, Arsenal look dangerous. They look like they have purpose.
But they have missed Luiz’s balls over the top and Gabriel has also not been playing. They have missed Tierney on that left hand side. Since he moved to left back they’ve missed Xhaka.
Another thing Arsenal fans need to understand. Xhaka is a very talented player. He is the heart of Arteta’s system. His ability to intelligently progress the ball into midfield,to control the game’s tempo and to effectively pass into the right regions is what makes him so important.
He’s not Thiago or Rodri but Xhaka’s passing is very good. Especially considering he keeps it simple but effective. Take Ceballos for example. He keeps it simple yes, but he isn’t effective.
His passes for the wingers are almost over hit and unlike Xhaka who can pass in between the lines with the right amount of time he can’t. He also carries the ball worse than Xhaka despite being more nimble and mobile.
Xhaka isn’t a ball carrier but he moves the ball up the field, switches the play. Offers himself centrally,relieves pressure. He also rarely looses the ball. People make it seem that because he has a lot of mistakes leading to goal that he’s terrible.
As of current Arsenal can’t do better than Xhaka. And selling Xhaka when he continues to show that he is a binding glue for this Arsenal side would be frankly unintelligent. He is the teams leader and runner on the pitch.
Xhaka’s only problem is not mistakes(which are not preventable by the way. A striker misses chances, a creator misplaces passes or has them intercepted and a deep lying player or defender or goalkeeper makes a goal bringing mistake. Don’t judge a player by their mistakes it’s just shallow.)
It is rather the sense of complacency about him. With someone to challenge his position on the team. Someone of real quality, Xhaka will most definitely improve. Bissouma is perfect for this as he can cover both roles.
Arsenal’s bench needs work and as you can tell I genuinely believe Arsenal’s starting 11 is better than that of the likes West Ham,Aston Villa,Everton,Leeds and just as good as that of Spurs.
With a squad as versatile as the one above Arsenal finish top 4 easily. Considering currently the only teams that are definitely better than them are Man United,Man City and Chelsea.
Liverpool are in need of a bench. Leicester do have a better starting 11 but their bench is only half good. Spurs bench in my opinion is currently better but they can better them easily.
And their coach is one of the best in the business. A rookie manager at a suffering team that is actually capable of bringing trophies in despite Arsenal’s state is rare. 2 trophies that could easily turn to 3 by the end of the month.
He needs only 2 players and a renewal for Lacazette and he’ll have enough of a squad to even win the league. The two front fours can create and score goals.
Bellerin as an inverted full back and Tierney or even Bellerin’s replacement can serve them from the full back role with the cover of the double pivot.
CONCLUSION.
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