Leicester head to the Emirates as we look to bounce back from the last defeat to Manchester City
It strikes me that going into this game there are several selection choices Arteta must make. Unlike the visit to Manchester City, which felt like an experimental or ‘outside the box’ type approach, this need to be the right choice. These next two games against Leicester and Manchester United are both winnable games, as both have been inconsistent and failed to really impress at the start of this season. I feel apart from Leno, the backline, midfield and attack can change in certain aspects to bring the balance, of attaching play and structured defence.
From a selection point of view, I always tend to start with who are the inform players for us now. Saka, is for sure at the moment, the one guy I feel is making the manager pick him week in week out. Then I would say Gabriel and Tierney cannot be dropped from their recent games. It is time to see a back line of Tierney, Gabriel, Luiz and Bellerin? I feel this is the formation we will head towards in the future, but do we need to see this sooner rather than later? With a four at the back especially at home, I think this will allow the extra man in midfield, and for me the midfield should consist of a structure, moment and vision. I would pick a midfield of Partey, and Ceballos, and the third person I’d pick would be Elneny. To start the season, I did not think Elneny would be anywhere near my team. However I felt he played well each time when called upon and he can receive the ball from the keeper better than Xhaka, and can play a pass like in Europe to open a team up for a goal scoring opportunity. Then the three up top for me I would play Sake on the left with Auba down the middle with Pepe on the right. I think playing this front three, Saka will get the space on the left and Aube will be closer to Pepe to get something going. Saka will tire in the second half, allowing for Auba to move back to the left and Laca to be introduced later on. I would keep Willian on the bench too, to make an impact later on. Also, where is Ainsley Maitland Niles, and if we do play a three why can’t he come in down that left-hand wingback role pushing the rest of the players over one to the right?
Ultimately, I would like to see our strongest time in their natural positions. To give us the opportunity to get the wins in this game.
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