We have a very difficult run of games to take us up to Christmas, with some tasty European games, London derbies, with the added bonus of a trip to Azerbaijan:
City H
Monaco A
Swansea A
Liverpool H
Anderlecht A
Bournemouth A
Villa H
Anderlecht H
Arsenal A
West Ham H
Qarabag A
Chelsea H
West Brom A
Monaco H
Newcastle H
Saints A
How many of our players are undoubtedly first choice? Not personal favourites - who you'd pick - but pretty unanimous among the fans and coach, no matter who the opponent is?
Lloris
Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Dier
Eriksen
Kane
Would it be fair to say they are the six at present?
The other 5 places are up for grabs, and the Palace game's other 'first choice' players - Walker, Davies, Alli, Chadli, Lamela, Son - could quite easily be next month's stiffs.
In a roundabout way I'm saying we don't really have a first choice XI, as people were screaming about on Wednesday night. We have six that are currently undisputed, possibly a seventh with Son, but the other places could be filled by virtually any of the other members of the squad at differing times of the season.
Even 'certainties' such as Dier and Vertonghen would not have been unanimous in August.
It's disappointing to go out of the league cup so early, but maybe we have to look at the bigger picture - this is a young squad that is still finding its way. Arsenal have a squad with an average age of 2.5 years higher - their experience probably got them through the other night, but it's one battle, not the war.
The SQUAD will have to be used to get us competitively through these fixtures, not just a supposed first XI
Playing the 'strongest' XI at all times
posted on 25/9/15
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posted on 25/9/15
Anderlecht and Monaco
That is a tough group
posted on 25/9/15
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posted on 25/9/15
Back 5 definite starters (Rose when fully fit)
Lloris, Walker, Toby, Jan, Rose
In midfield places are still up for grabs Dier looks to have cemented his place in the 1st team, with options from Mason, Bentaleb, Dembele, Alli, Carroll, Eriksen, Lamela, Townsend, Chadli, Pritchard, N'Jie competing for their places in the midfield 5
Son and Kane certain starters for me. Eriksen maybe too and Chadli when he gets going.
Baring this in mind in terms of the squad you'd think Lamela/Townsend might be off as well as Fazio in January and maybe Dembele might be moved on. As we are still heavy in these areas.
Only real area of weakness being striking options which will need to be addressed.
As things stand I would say this is our strongest team:
------------------Lloris
Walker----Toby------Jan--------Rose
-------------------Dier
------------Alli-----------Eriksen
---Son--------------------------Chadli---
------------------Kane
posted on 25/9/15
I'd really like a crack at Europe this year and if this means sacrificing a place in the European places in the league for next year so be it, it's about time we had a rest from it and then we go again stronger next year
posted on 25/9/15
The article actually says......
"How many of our players are undoubtedly first choice? Not personal favourites - who you'd pick - but pretty unanimous among the fans and coach, no matter who the opponent is?"
Now I understand why Rose and Walker are included by people above, but I mean pretty much undisputed by all.
Davies and Rose split opinions
Walker is not fancied across the board.
posted on 25/9/15
Ditto Chadli
posted on 25/9/15
Think Lloris and Dier are the only ones we can all agree on atm
posted on 25/9/15
Walker is obviously favoured but I fancy Trippier to be a much better player if he's played every game.
On form Rose over Davies for me every day of the week, we are a lot better to watch with him in the side.
Son and Kane will turn into a formidable partnership when they get going I'm sure of it. Eriksen possesses qualities none of our other midfielders do, Chadli scores goals, Lamela doesn't. Lamela works his socks off, Chadli doesn't. None of a CM's are up to much, Dele Alli still raw.
Midfield diamond?
-------------Dier
Mason------------Alli
------------Eriksen
Son and Kane up top?
posted on 25/9/15
I would have Rose in my personal certainties XI. 100%.
Walker too at present.
I think Son and Alli may also join them soon.
That'd leave 1 place in mine, and that would probably be dependant on who we play, and whether it's a wide forward or another midfielder.