Alright, let’s get down to business.
The Premier League season starts next Saturday as Arsenal travels to west London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
There might be some comings and/or going this week, so with that in mind, let’s take a shot at who Mikel Arteta will start on opening day.
Here’s my starting XI v Fulham…
Willian, Aubameyang, Pepe
Xhaka, Ceballos, Saka
Tierney, Luiz, Saliba, Maitland-Niles
Leno
Here’s a few reasons I left several of the big names on the bench…
1) Both Lacazette and Bellerin have too many off the field distractions going on, as both men are rumored to be heading elsewhere in the transfer window.
2) Leno v Martinez – This may be the toughest decision of all for Arteta to make this season. I just don’t feel a player should lose a job due to injury.
3) Gabriel just arrived and hasn’t had enough time to digest Arteta’s defensive system.
Obviously, a lot could change this week, but for now this is my starting XI.
COYG!
Gunner1953
Mikel Arteta said on Friday Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all in contention to be in the squad for Saturday’s match.
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Gabriel Magalhaes, “We need to be strong on Sunday, We are at this club to play these kind of games.”
Ten Premier League managers have been sacked this season, including three at Nottingham Forest, and two each at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Aubameyang
Saka – Willian – Pepe
Ceballos – Partey
Tierney – Gabriel – Saliba – Maitland-Niles
Martinez
One or two of Lacazette/Bellerin/Leno may have to leave for money to get Partey, but this is my chosen line-up anyway. I have my doubts about Aouar getting to Arsenal, and in any case he has COVID right now, doesn’t he? No-one should lose their job because of injury, but I’d take Martinez over a healthy Leno; he fits Arteta’s style of play better. Gabriel or Saliba may have to wait and learn, but not for long.
My starting line up would be
Martinez – given his exemplary performance
Tierney, Luiz, Saliba, Maitland-Niles
Xhaka, Ozil, Saka
Willan, Aubameyang, Lacazette
I feel Ozil has been unfairly targeted in the whole salary cut episode. It seemed what transpired after 55 staff members were made redundant, Ozil’s stand has somewhat been ‘vindicated’.
We should give him an opportunity for at least the first 8-10 games, with properly communicated to him, this is the ‘last bet’. If we can ‘light a fire under Ozil’s a**”, this makes us genuine contenders for at least the top 4.
Let me add we have nothing to lose by giving Ozil an opportunity, if he doesn’t perform to expectations, substitute him. However, we have everything to gain, IF he can find form.
Partey is, at this point in time not an Arsenal player. With that being the case the line up should be
Leno, Saliba, Magalhaes, Tierney, Bellerin, Cebalos, Maitland Niles, Willian, Lacazette, Aubamayang, Pepe
playing in a 4-3-3 formation. Substitutes are Luiz, Willock, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Martinez John Jules or Balogun.
Don’t really care which one of Leno or Martinez plays but Maitland Niles would most definitely play in midfield instead of Xhaka who presents a soft target for the opposition to attack.
Still scratching my head how come the club is gonna let a talent like Balogun leave, the boy wants, needs first team football. We should give him it, not get rid of him
My pick is
Leno
Cedric/Niles. Saliba Luiz tierney
Ceballos xhaka
Ozil
Pepe willian
Aubameyang