by Sir Hardly Anyone, and some mates down the pub.
Here’s a team that we could soon be putting out. It’s fairly familiar with just a single change up front. All very straight forward.
Petr Cech
Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal
Bellerin Maitland-Niles
Xhaka Wilshere
Ozil Lacazette Mkhitaryan
But then what happens if we sign Aubamayang??? Where does he play? And does that mean that even when fit Ramsey isn’t playing?
Of course the moment we get an injury we have these helpful backups if the above is the first team
- Kolasinac
- Ramsey
- Mavropanos
- Holding
- Chambers
- Elneny
- Giroud
- Iwobi
- Welbeck
- Ooooooooooooospina
but still I’d love to know where we put Ramsey and Aubamayang if he comes although I should add that Auba’s car has been seen at the airport, and by the Daily Cannon no less, and that’s normally as much as it takes to get the deal done and dusted.
Now I know Untold tried to resolve this before the Palace game and came up with
Cech
Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal
Xhaka, Kolasinac,
Ramsey Wilshere
Ozil Lacazette
which might be nonsense or could be interesting, but either way doesn’t take into account even Mkhitaryan, who I guess will be rather miffed if he goes through all these procedures of being spotted at the airport etc, and then doesn’t play. And that still leaves out Aubamayang whose car has been leoparded (leopard – spot – geddit?).
Of course what it does mean is that with everyone fit we once again have two teams – one to fight in the Europa and one to play in the PL. Although I think Arsenal should beware that Football.London has proclaimed, under the heading “Goodbye Europa League” that we are going no further in that competition and indeed the fans are utterly outraged because we are wearing a pink and blancmange kit for the matches. [Not quite sure you have the colours right there – Tony]
But wouldn’t you know it, according to the bloggettas there is more to come!!! However before we come to that there is the point that with the sort of boost the team seems to be getting, adding Mk and now possibly Aub we could start being one of the best football predictions from enhanced bets. You never know your luck and the world seems to be changing very quickly.
For example, according to Don Balon, Real Madrid would like to get rid of Benzema, but no one seems to want him any more, except that Arsenal might be interested. In fact in the blog the only thing that seems to be holding up arrangements is the fee. A trifling detail I am sure you will agree – alongside the issue of where on earth he would play.
(Assuming the Mk switch goes ahead we’ve lost two players (Theo being the other) and gained one so we have one space left in the 25 so Aub could be accommodated – but no one else without losing someone.
Now according to the Metro, Mr Wenger isn’t too worried about having too many similar players around. Asked how he could fit Mkhitaryan and Ozil into the same team, Mr Wenger explained: ‘You just play the good players! They can always play together.
“What have you on the pitch? They’re all attacking players. Iwobi, Ozil, Wilshere, Lacazette, Xhaka. They’re all offensive players, basically.’
Meanwhile under the headline “Hammer blow for Arsenal and Tottenham in Malcom chase”,
Meanwhile Pain in the Arsenal bemoan the fact that we are no longer interested in Lemar. “Mkhitaryan and Lemar are very similar players but the latter is much younger,” they tell us. “He has his future before him. He is an unfinished product. He may also ask for cheaper wages, with Mkhitaryan reportedly demanding one of the highest pay-packets in the squad, and can be moulded into exactly what Arsene Wenger wants.”
But seemingly it is not to be.
Of course there are always some people who don’t play fair, as the headline in the Star announces…
Arsenal Fans Sent Into Meltdown Due To Fake Henrikh Mkhitaryan Picture
Oh dear oh dear. Whatever next. And all those capital letters used up too. But wait for there are a few next bits, and I’ll nip through them quickly so you can have your tea. Or breakfast if on the other side of the planet.
- Arsenal “ask Manchester United about Chris Smalling’ as they eye new centre-back”
That one is in the Sun
- Arsenal may have too many attacking players if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joins the club
That one is in My Arsenal Blog, and I’d already written my jottings above when I saw that one and I am not just nicking other people’s ideas honest.
- The 25-year-old South American Forward Linked With January Move to Arsenal
Now here Eplscouts.com come up on the outside with their tale that Arsenal “joined the Manchester United in the chase for Brazilian winger Lucas Moura’ with PSG star eyed as a possible replacement for Alexis Sanchez who is closing in on a move to Old Trafford…
“Arsenal will compete with Man United for the PSG winger, according to the ESPN reports. The 25-year-old forward has admitted that he will likely depart this month following French giants win over Nantes earlier last week. “Is there a chance that I stay this winter? I do not think so,” Lucas said. “With what the coach has said, it looks like this is the end of my Paris story.”
Is there no end to all this transferring I ask? And the answer comes back, yes January 31 at 2300 GMT. And one minute later the rumours will start all over again.
- Why do Arsenal fans criticise Arsenal players so much?
- Giroud to leave as part of Aubameyang deal plus errors and spelling problems
The latest post from our series on Henry Norris at the Arsenal
Today’s Anniversaries
1ST TEAM (lacking width maybe) 4-1-2-2-1
Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
Maitland-Niles
Ramsey Wilshere
Ozil Mkhitaryan
Lacazette
RESERVES 4-1-2-2-1
Ospina
Debuchy Chambers Holding Kolasinac
Elneny
Willock Xhaka
Iwobi Welbeck
Giroud
Two good teams both with better defensive midfielder than our present one (Xhaka)
Sir,
Do you think it will take until 23:91 on 31 January before the next batch of rumours will restart.
The reality is that we have transfer rumours every day of the year, they are sometimes interrupted with brief periods where players attempt to kick, head the dall, and other players, around the pitch whilst sheparded by a smaller group of clowns in not so fancy dress. These brief interludes do tend to get in the way of the real story and it can only be a matter of time before they are terminated as being a total waste of time and column inches.
Think Ozil is staying;
?
https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/955480745816010753
Sir Hardly,
Arsenal have lost Coquelin, Walcott and Alexis.
Now, I don’t know if Mavropanos is about to get a place in “25” but if he doesn’t, we have three places left: AubamEyang, Mkhitaryan and another one. We have four goalkeepers in “25” which is a bit odd but we can remove either Macey or Iliev from it so we can fit both Mavropanos and, say, Evans.
It’s official.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/955502078604075008/photo/1
confirmation, FWIW
The 25 will definitely be reviewed after the conclusion of the incomings and outgoings transfer at Arsenal this January window. And if Oezil stays as expected. That’ll be good news for Arsenal and to us who have wanted him to extend his staying at Arsenal beyond this season. With Mkhitaryan looking set to come to the Emirates Stadium this window, Aubameyang to Arsenal also this January is not a failure that’s being contemplated will happen but an alsome success that is glamour for by all and sundry of the Arsenal faithful. But do Arsenal need a true and out holding mid-fielder signing this window to complement their ongoing effort to strengthens the team in the offensive department? But I don’t think they’ll go for a CB this window because they have many CBs on ground that can effectively mann that position in the team. But if they insist to do an upgrade in that area, another senior Gunner maybe forced out on transfer. In this case, Le Boss should resist the temptation to force Debuchy out for sale this window because he has become integral to Arsenal Europa League Cup competion campaign success thus far this season with his experience.
Against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at the Ems on Wednesday night, some football experts are tailoring the Gunners starts for the match against the Blues will look as below:
Ospina
…………………….Mustafi………………….
……Koscielny……………Holding……
Bellerin……………………….Kolasinac
Oezil..Wilshere..Xhaka..ElNeny..
……………,,,..Lacazette…………………..
Bench:
Cech BFG Chambers Maitland Ramsey Nelson Nketiah.
AFC 2-0 CFC @FT +.
@Josif,
Mavopranos is under 21 and won’t be included in the 25 for at least a year (or 2 depending on when his birthday falls).
Mkhitaryan will probably play left side attacking midfield, Özil on the right. Lava and Aubameyang in the middle.
Two of Aaron, Jack, Granit, Elneny, Maitland-Niles in midfield.
Hector, And Nacho/Kolasinac as fullbacks
Kos and Mustafi as first choice CBS in front of Cech
It might work but I’m sure Arsène will have other ideas
May I suggest a 6-8-6?
Suspect there may be one or two more players leaving if it all goes to plan and Aubamerang comes.
Hope we revert to a back 4 and use a back 3 only sparingly.
Welcome to AFC Mkhitaryan.
Was it a straight swap guys?
Arsenal are now more easily in reach to regain our 4th place than a few weeks ago with the “newcomers to 4th place” Spuds 😳 and Pool 😳 dropping points. 🙂
[b][i]I love the statement from Swans manager; “Pool are like a Formula 1 car but at 4 p.m rush hour they can only sit in traffic like everybody else” or words to that effect.[/i][/b]
So a good run with no more unpleasant surprises should allow us to mount a solid challenge just in case the Europa Cup has any mishaps, say, its always better to fight on two fronts if one can.
Come on Arsenal, it’s the beginning of the home stretch, lets see some truly Arsenal-esque performances to thrill us back into having wide smiles on our faces again. 🙁 😮 🙂 😀 😆
Al
22/01/2018 at 5:22 pm
“Think Ozil is staying”
I think you might be right.
This from Arsene Wenger on Arsenal.com
“Mkhitaryan can play on the wing or in midfield, so I believe he can play very well in many positions. That can help us as well because he can play together with Ozil as well as playmaker, so overall it’s a good move.”
So it seems at least Wenger sees a future with both Mkhitaryan and Ozil on the park.
Lets hope it’s with a shinny new contract.
Since day one the guy has been class. The stick he got from certain quarters was utterly without foundation.
‘Nicking a living’ who was the dork that said that?
But to Ozils credit, I think in the end he realised that this kind of criticism from the media and ex Arsenal players alike, is just par for the course when you are an Arsenal player. Didn’t stop him having a little pop back though did it. Good man.
Anyway, whatever happens my respect and admiration for the guy has grown and grown as time has passed.
Please Ozil, sign the damn thing.
Nitram
Even if Sanchez had stayed we still need a playmaker till Santi is injured. So Mikkhi was needed on the pitch for sure.
Not sure if wires crossed.
I was only really pointing out that Wengers statement suggests Ozil will be around for the foreseeable.
Either way Mhka is a very welcome aquisision.