The league is on a break after four intense weekends of Premier League action, which has seen Arsenal take 10 points out of 12.
After the international break, the Gunners have a tight schedule, allowing Mikel Arteta to utilise his squad depth fully. In any case, what squad changes can we expect from the Spaniard after the international break?
1. Picking Gabriel Jesus over Nketiah
Due to Jesus’ injury at the start of the season, which kept him out of the first two league games (before making two substitute appearances in the following two), Eddie Nketiah was being utilised in attack.
The Englishman thrived, scoring two goals in three starts and one substitute appearance. Nketiah is a good goal scorer, but Arteta may prefer to use Jesus as his central striker because, aside from scoring goals, the Brazilian can give defenders nightmares with his speed, skill, and trickery—qualities that make Arsenal’s attack more efficient as he creates chances for his teammates while on the pitch. After being introduced as a substitute in Arsenal’s last two games, his goal in the final match (versus Manchester United) before the international break in a cameo appearance may motivate his selection in the starting 11 when Arsenal face Everton after the break.
2. Kai Havertz to be Benched for a substitute role
Havertz has struggled to make an impression as an Arsenal player. The German international is under a lot of pressure to perform well. Arteta has been patient with him thus far, starting him in all of Arsenal’s games this season, but it may be time for him to reduce the 24-year-old’s game time. It could be time to bench Havertz in favour of Fabio Vieira. Appearing from the bench, Havertz may gradually adapt to what is expected of him, feel less pressure, and regain his confidence. I’m sure every Gooner wants him to succeed; for that to happen, some difficult decisions must be made.
3. Gabriel’s continued reintegration
Gabriel earned his first season start against Manchester United after appearing as a substitute in the previous three league games.
Last weekend, On the left flank against Manchester United, he rendered Antony ineffective and provided adequate protection while Oleksandr Zinchenko drifted towards midfield. Man United brought on Rasmus Hojlund, but Gabriel relished the physical battle and frequently outclassed the young forward. The Brazilian also made an important decision to move up, making Alejandro Garnacho offside as he thought he had slotted home a winner for United.
Yes, Gabriel has his weaknesses, but how can anyone look at last Sunday’s game and say he doesn’t deserve to play against Everton (Arsenal lost at Goodison Park last season) and Tottenham?
Those are the three squad alterations I envision Arteta making.
What others should he make, and which should he avoid?
Daniel O
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I’d prefer Havertz to do high-press and stay in the final-third more often. But if Arteta won’t make Havertz play like that, he’d better use the more agile AM to play in Xhaka’s position
As for Jesus and Nketiah, their playing styles are pretty similar, so it wouldn’t really matter who becomes a starter
Gai, Yea,, GJesus and Nketiah have similar skill set but Jesus is a better dribbler and has better understanding with Matinelli. He is a pacey version of Laccazet who works from midfied if need be. I think Arteta would always play him if fit.
I don’t see Havertz pressing high with Jesus/Nkethia upfront he should simply be rested for another AM.
I guess that would be a healthy competition for him.
Considering it’s an away game, I will kind of prefer Tomiyasu to Zichenko because of his physicality and defensive abilities.
Mangahaes to retain his position.
I agree about Jesus
Using Tomiyasu instead of Zinchenko could be good if Everton use McNeil or Garner to bully Zinchenko in the air
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Zincheko
Rice
Odegaard Havetz
Saka Jesus Martinelli
Pretty obvious
Ramsdale
White Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko
Odegaard Partey Rice
Saka G.Jesus G.Martinelli
My starting 11 any day.
Agree 100%. Timber can’t challenge for Gabriel’s place due to injury, so Gabriel has to start. Plenty of time for Havertz to come good, but for now he’s not ready to be a starter. Obviously some confidence / integration issues going on there. And Jesus normally starts ahead of Nketiah for me.
Arsenal needs to win at Merseyside first, this is a fixture we lost in when everyone was beating them in the last campaign.
1) The physical and arial dominating Gabriel Magalhaes, has to be a main starter going forward not just for the big games.
2) Havertz needs to come from the bench in games after the break.
3) The gaffer has to find away to involved Smith Rowe and Tossard more.
Ramsdale
White Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko
Jorginho Rice
Saka Odegaard Matinelli
Jesus
CoporatMan👍
Jorginho/ESR/Trossard
Go back to last year’s successful setup and formation, 4-3-3.
Don’t reinvent the wheel, just rotate and make players compete for starts and playing time.
Midfield was strengthened with Rice, we’ll be aces when Partey returns to partner him in midfield.
Don’t tinker with a successful formula and setup, check the ego and make players earn their starts and game time.
I’d personally retain Havertz against Everton because of the physical nature of their midfield and bring on ESR or Viera in the second half when they are tiring. The only change I’d make from the team that started against United is Jesus for Nketiah. I think it will be important to get early goals- this could enable Arteta to rest some key players who will be needed in the Champions League just a couple of days later. I think some of these decisions will depend on who to play against Everton in consideration of who will be playing against PSV. I don’t think you could use the same 11 for both games. This might even be game for either Trossard or Nelson in order to rest one of Saka/Martinelli.
Gabriel would be a regular and among the first half dozen definite starters for me. I always look FIRST to defence and see the massive advantage a tighter and more cohesive and lets not forget, also a team experienced CB partnership brings.
I would drop Havertz for ESR and Nketiah too for Jesus. And unless SAKA IMPROVES GREATLY FROM THE MAN UTD GAME, I would drop him for the Spuds game. ,
1)
Ramsdale
White Saliba Gabriel Tommy/Zinny/Kiwior/Timbre
Odegaard Rice Havertz
Saka Jesus Matinelli
2)
Ramsdale
White Saliba Gabriel Tomiyasu/Kiwior
Odegaard Rice Vieira/Trossard/ESR
Saka Jesus Matinelli
Havertz can only be dropped for Rice in the Xhaka role if Partey is available at the base.
ESR/Trossard/Vieira cant fill the Xhaka void with Zinchenko at LB. Dropping Havertz will demand dropping Zinchenko for Tomiyasu/Kiwior at LB in order to retain the balanced shape and physicality of the team. This is what Arteta did against ManU last time out.
A trio of Martinelli (LF), ESR/Vieira/Trossard (LM), and Zinchenko(LB) will make the left side spineless and vulnerable. Same way the a trio of Saka (RF), Odegaard/ESR/Vieira/Trossard (RM), and Timbre (RB) must be avoided on the right side.
I would like to see ESR/Trossard instead of Havertz.