We are just half way into the transfer window and Arsenal have already jumped in, snatching Petr Cech from the clutches of Mourinho. So, we thought now is the right time to have an inside look of our current squad, with the burning question being whether this team can replicate the Invincibles season again?
Formation 4-2-3-1 : This formation generally consists of 4 defenders, 2 central or defensive midfielders, 1 central attacking midfielder, 2 wingers and 1 striker. The current Arsenal squad has a total of 35 players with some of them set to leave on loan or permanently. Let us discuss about each position in detail.
Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Wojciech Szczesny, David Ospina and Emiliano Martinez
After so many seasons we finally have a goalkeeper who justifies the ‘World Class’ tag in the form of arch rivals Chelsea’s legendary goalkeeper Petr Cech. Cech said that he was excited to join Arsenal and it Wenger who lured him after explaining the club’s ambitions for the 2015-16 season. Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky who is Cech’s International teammate also needs to be credited for the transfer. However now since Cech has joined we now have a total of four goalkeepers at the club.
This list includes our very own youth product Wojciech Szczesny, last season’s signature who impressed David Ospina and Argentine youngster Emiliano Martinez. With Szczesny ready to spend the coming season as second fiddle to Cech, Ospina looks set to leave the club permanently with Martinez also looking to leave on loan. So on the whole the goalkeeper position at Arsenal looks formidable for the coming season with two joint goalkeeper of the season award winners from 2013/14 season(Cech and Szczesny) looking set to save the team at least 10-15 points.
Centre-Backs: Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista, Calum Chambers and Isaac Hayden
After Vermaelen left last season Wenger just had 2 centre-backs at his disposal namely Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. With Paulista’s arrival in January we had an additional defender who complemented Per and Kos well. But now since Calum Chambers’ performance as a centre back was better than his performance as a right-back last season the Engliahman will surely play more as a centre-back the coming season. Adding English youngster Isaac Hayden to this list we now have 3 International CBs and 2 young CBs in the team. With Per-Kos combo set to start most matches the coming season we wont have much to worry about our main CBs or the back-up we have.
Right-Backs: Mathieu Debuchy, Hector Bellerin and Carl Jenkinson
Obviously Debuchy is the most experienced among the three and will start as RB next season. However with Bellerin’s excellent form from last season he will give the Frenchman some tough competition. Meanwhile Jenkinson looks set to leave on loan for the second consecutive season. So the RB position looks somewhat settled at the moment.
Left-Backs: Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs
Last season’s surprise package Nacho Monreal will look to continue with his good form the coming season as well. With Kieran Gibbs there to assist him this season as well the LB position looks stable and there wont be much to worry.
Defensive Midfielders: Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, Francis Coquelin and Krystian Bielik
Flamini might be sold after failing miserably last season. Bielik is only 17 and might join the U-21 side or may be sent out on loan. Arteta, our captain is aging and is out of form but is ready to guide the youngsters so he might extend his stay at the Emirates. Francis Coquelin has now become a household name among most Gooners around the world. He was impressive in the 2nd half of last season and was a wall in front of our defence. But Coquelin needs more competition to improve so a new defensive midfielder has to be brought in before our season begins.
Central Midfielders: Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey
One of the most influential players from last season was Santi Cazorla. Primarily an attacking mid, Cazorla mostly played as a central midfielder last season and was a big success providing 11 assists in the league. So he looks set to continue in that position for some more time. However with homegrown youngsters like Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey there to compete with him, Cazorla should be at his best the coming season. Though Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere were tried at the right wing both of them would look to play at their favorite CM position where they play for their national teams. So the CM position looks formidable as well.
Central Attacking Midfielders: Mesut Ozil, Tomas Rosicky and Gedion Zelalem
Our first marquee signing in years, Mesut Ozil occupies this position. He has made this position his own with impressive performances last season. If the German improves his shooting skill he could well be competing with the top play-makers in the league for the player of the season award the coming season. However with Tomas Rosicky set to make the coming season his last at the club, he might be given a good run of games as he is a fan favorite at the Emirates. Gedion Zelalem is another impressive youngster who plays at this positon.
Left wingers: Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski
With Player of the season winner Alexis Sanchez occupying this position Oxlade-Chamberlain will get very limited opportunities. The Ox would look to make good use of the limited opportunities he gets the coming season and build on it for the next season. And regarding this position “Have no fear Sanchez is here
