As more and more players are linked to Arsenal, I thought I’d have a look at what I believe is Arsenal’s best line up, when all players are fit. For the line-up below, I’ve put the team in a 4-3-3 formation, with the wingers up high, rather than a 4-2-3-1 with Cazorla in line with the wingers, but the same basic principles apply for the line-up. Throughout, I will also say if I believe we need a new player for the various positions.

As is always the case, not everyone will agree but read what I say and why I believe the player should be starting, and then comment below with what you believe and why.

Goalkeeper

Szczesny is the undisputed number 1 for the team. There is no real pressure on him with Mannone or Fabianski as the back-up choices. When he is at his best, Szczesny is one of the best in the league- his shot stopping is brilliant, although he can, at times, struggle on crosses and his kicking out. Szczesny is a good first choice but we need a back-up keeper more strongly challenging him to keep him motivated and working hard. This is an area which Arsenal need to get a better back-up, and get rid of, at least, Fabianski and have Mannone as 3rd choice.

Defenders

Sagna still has to be the first choice right back for Arsenal. Jenkinson has been one of Arsenal’s best and most consistent players this season, but I feel that Sagna is a better attacking player and can get better crosses in and their defensive skills are quite similar, so Sagna gets the starting spot. This is a position where Arsenal have a few good options, which is a benefit for keeping players motivated and performing well.

Mertesacker and Vermaelen have to be the first choice central defensive pairing, as they compliment each other quite well, generally. With Per Mertesacker’s ability to read situations within games, Thomas Vermaelen is better suited next to this sort of player because he likes to push up the pitch at different times. Another benefit of having Mertesacker in the team is, as well known due to his 1.98m frame, his ability to win headers, although he sometimes doesn’t win as many as he should. Only a few weeks ago, I felt that Laurent Koscielny should be partnered with Vermalen, but Mertesacker has impressed me in the past few weeks, even with some shocking performances from players around him, so I believe he should be a starting player for the club.

Gibbs is an easy choice for the left back position, and will remain so, if he stays injury free. Gibbs has been one of Arsenal’s best, and Santos will put NO pressure on Gibbs, when he returns from injury. Arsenal’s second best option for left back would be to shift Vermaelen to left back and bring Koscielny into the middle of the defence. It’s unfortunate but I’m not sure that Santos, Gibbs’ back-up, fills anyone with confidence and that anyone would want him to be our left back for a run of games.

Midfielders

The midfield 2 for Arsenal will be Wilshere and Arteta, with Diaby also being an option to come in. Both Arteta and Wilshere like to create play from deep and are able to tackle opponents well, and are defensively quite smart. The problem with having Wilshere and Arteta in the midfield 2 is a possible lack of ability to defend against players like Yaya Toure, who can drive through almost every midfield in the world. That being big, strong, fast players who can overrun smaller players.

Santi Cazorla is the player who will be picked first on the team sheet every time he is fit. When he is allowed time on the ball, Cazorla has few players who can match what he can do, in terms of creating and dictating play. The problem being he is being very tightly marked in the last few matches (Norwich and Schalke, in particular) but he will adapt to this, and the rest of the team have to help him do this. He is a key player for Arsenal and for our bid to win titles, both this season and in coming years.

Wingers and Striker

The best choices, for me, to have on the wings are Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain. The other serious option, Gervinho, doesn’t offer a great deal for the team on the wing, and for me can be a liability. Both Walcott and the Ox have what defenders don’t like- speed to kill- and both like to get in behind the defence and get crosses in for the striker. However good these two are, or have the potential to be, this is definitely a position that Arsenal need to strengthen in. Arsenal have a lot of players in this position but most aren’t of a high enough standard to be playing regularly for the club. If Arsenal got in at least one more top winger/wide player, it would be a great benefit to the club.

Lukas Podolski is the obvious choice to play as the central striker. It is hard to fathom why he was bought by Arsenal and then played on the wing, with less chance of having an impact on matches. With his 1 goal per 2.5 matches (96 goals in 251 matches) goal scoring record throughout his career, Podolski would seem the obvious choice to lead the Arsenal line. Even though Arsenal bought in Olivier Giroud, he hasn’t quite fitted in yet, and it will take time. This is a position where the club need to bring in a world class striker who can put away chances when we get them, so we can win games 1-0 with only 1 or 2 chances per game, if need be. The 24 year old, Robert Lewandowski, from Borussia Dortmund, would be a good option for Arsenal. He is the type of player which Arsenal need, and plays in another attacking system at Borussia Dortmund. However, a club record transfer fee would need to be expended to get Lewandowski, as he is also wanted by Manchester United and other top European clubs.

Conclusion

Arsenal already have the majority of their team sewn down, and have adequate players for those positions. Arsenal just need some more top level players in attack (wingers and strikers) and would have a fantastic team. It won’t take much change, but just need to expend some money on those positions and the club could go on and win some titles, provided the players who come in, fit in straight away.

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Feature image from http://arsenal.theoffside.com/team-news/arsenal-v-sunderland-match-preview-the-new-season-begins.html

Jack Wilshere photo from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9579580/Jack-Wilshere-passes-first-test-on-comeback-trail-as-he-completes-63-minutes-for-Arsenal-under-21s.html