In a couple of days time, Arsene Wenger will walk down that Emirates tunnel with his team for the 22nd season but this time it will be a whole lot different. Both Wenger and Arsenal are under tremendous pressure and if they can’t deliver the goods then God knows what might happen(Wenger will still remain the manager though).
And deep down inside Wenger knows this very well and that is why the Frenchman has splurged a lot of cash during the transfer window in order to bring in reinforcements – a trait which is very unlikely of the Gunners boss. Arsenal have signed the likes of Lacazette and Kolasinac and are still chasing a few others in the market. And if they somehow manage to hold onto Sanchez then it will turn out to be a pretty successful transfer window for the London outfit.
We take a look at how Arsenal might line up next season:
Goalkeeper:
Petr Cech in goal for the crunch games of the season and possibly Ospina filling in during those cup ties against lower league oppositions.
Defence:
Wenger will most likely play 3 players in defence – a formation to swear by according to most managers nowadays. He will play Mustafi as the central defender who will have the support of Holding and Koscielny on either side of him. Arsenal also have the option of Nacho Monreal and we assume he will come into the picture once someone from the back three starts dropping form.
Midfield:
Wenger will most probably go with four in the midfield – two central ones and two wings backs. In the case of the central midfielders, Wenger will have to field the duo of Xhaka and Ramsey simply cause he does not have too many other options in terms of talent. Arsenal are trying desperately to sell off Jack Wilshere in the summer and if they are unable to do so then the English International will also to play in midfield, but such appearances will be very limited.
And as far as the two wings backs are concerned here too Wenger is limited for choices. Hector Bellerin will play as the right-wing back while new signing Sead Kolasinac will play as the left-wing back.
Attack:
While Wenger signed Alexandre Lacazette this season to ensure that the Gunners have a strong attacking line-up but believe it or not this is also one of the weakest positions as far as we are concerned. Wenger will definitely start with Lacazette as the frontman in his team but given the number of games that his team will be playing he simply does not have quality substitutes – more so if Giroud leaves the club in the summer.
Lacazette will be supported by two wide players. One of them will surely be Mesut Ozil – after the German committed his short-term future to the club. The left wing though still remains a serious concern for Wenger with the whole ‘Alexis Sanchez-moving-out’ drama. But Wenger has said time and again that Sanchez will be staying with the club for the upcoming season so as of now we will take his word for it.
