Friday 29 July 2016

How Arsenal Will Line Up Next Season With Riyad Mahrez


Arsenal will go into the forthcoming season as title contenders that have failed to lift the prestigious Premier League trophy for over a decade nor any other European silverware. Arsenal are, however, not too far away from winning the title, if Wenger does the right thing in the transfer window.


Arsene Wenger has always anchored his football ideology on a fluid style of play that sees Arsenal play with a midfield pivot that can retain ball possession while offering threats in attack with mesmerising creativity. Uniquely known as the “Barcelona” of England, Arsenal have retained this philosophy over the years thanks to Arsene Wenger's insistence and persistence.

Accused of being frugal in the transfer market despite a large transfer war-chest, Arsene Wenger seems to have finally accepted the inflated nature of the modern transfer market. Briefly before the commencement of the just concluded European Championships, Wenger splashed £35 million on former Borrusia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka and the French tactician appears to be ready to spend more cash with various reports claiming he is keen on signing Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez and Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi.

Should Arsenal pull off a deal for the 26-year-old Algerian, Wenger will have the most star-studded midfield in the Premier League. Hence, Wenger will have the inherent selection headache that comes with the territory. Wenger is used to playing a 4-3-3 formation, but Mahrez’s acquisition is likely to see him resort to a 4-2-3-1 in order to accommodate his crop of world-class midfielders.


Below is how I believe Arsenal will line up next season, based on the assumption that we will be successful in our bid to sign Riyad Mahrez.

Goalkeeper:

Now that he has retired from the international scene, Arsenal are going to have Petr Cech fully to themselves and he will be sure retain his place in-between the sticks for Arsenal. David Ospina will once again be second choice behind the former Chelsea star.

Defence

So far, Arsenal’s only signing in this position has been Rob Holding, but he has been dubbed a player for the future. We are going to see Bellerin and Monreal retain their full-back positions, while a partnership between Gabriel and Koscielny at the heart of defence will suffice, in my opinion, unless Wenger signs another centre back. This, in my opinion, is unlikely despite the links to Shkodran Mustafi.


Midfield.

I believe the major casualties in this position will be Ramsey, Wilshere and Elneny. There will be fierce competition for a playing time here. Wenger will, in my opinion, fancy Granit Xhaka as the anchor midfielder. Xhaka is likely to be supported by Cazorla, who plays very closely to the defensive midfielder, unlike Ramsey. This combination will see Arsenal retain possession more.

Ozil will have more freedom, as the player behind the striker, but he will be flanked by Sanchez and Mahrez on the left and right wing respectively. The eagled-eyed Ozil and Mahrez will largely become creators and assist-makers for Sanchez, who makes good runs, and the lone attacker.

Attack

Arsenal’s only real option in attack is Giroud and 'the French bloke' is more efficient whenever he plays close to a midfielder. Ozil’s position will see him play like a second striker, but behind the striker like Griezman does for France.

1 comment:

  1. The next time Arsenal will see Riyhad Mahrez is at the K.P. stadium in week 2 of the premier season. Unfortunately for them, he will be dressed in all blue along side his leicester teamate jamie vardy, and they will be terrorising the Arsenal defence in persuit of another leicester city premier league trophy. you want all our players cos they are winners..... champions !!!!! well guess what? you can't have em.... HA HA HAAAAAAA ! Blue Army !!

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