Before anyone jumps down my throat, let me begin by saying I don't think we have the strongest first eleven in the league and think it is unlikely we're going to win the league this year (though quietly optimistic as ever!)
Saying that, I believe we have an extremely strong overall squad this year. If our best/most balanced first eleven is this:
--------------Perez
Ox/Iwobi Ozil Sanchez
-------Xhaka Elneny
Monreal Kos Mustafi Bellerin
-------------Cech
Then we have some very good players who won't be regular starters. Wenger's favourites of:
- Ramsey
- Cazorla
- Merts (when not injured)
- Giroud
- Coquelin
- Ospina
- Walcott (on his day)
Amongst other squad fillers. It's crazy to think Cazorla and Ramsey when fit and on form may not be able to get into the squad!
I honestly can't remember a time when we've had decent replacements for players in every position. I'm not talking world beaters but these backups alone have previously been good enough to bring us top 4.
What are your thoughts on our strongest team? I appreciate the Giroud/Perez question can't be decided for another few months and that I'm assuming Mustafi will be better than BFG. Also I would say the least strong position in the team now is left wing, unless the Ox can maintain his pre-season form and learn to bring more aggression when having to defend.
Strength in Depth and Starting Eleven
posted on 27/8/16
Cazorla should be in that side ahead of Elneny. We do have squad depth, so maybe we will cope better when the injury crisis hits this season. However, that still relies on Wenger playing a system for the players he has available.
posted on 27/8/16
You're right I guess Elneny doesn't have the experience of the league just yet. I think it won't be long though until Cazorla is a regular substitute as Elneny has the energy to help dominate the midfield.
I feel Elneny-Xhaka is a good, balanced pairing as they are both full of running, one keeps passes simple and the other has the ability to play the quarterback position and is defensively strong.
I see Cazorla as a future impact player, possibly a #10 backup and playing in midfield in the games where the opposition park the bus and we don't need to concentrate on breaking up attacks so much.
posted on 27/8/16
Ramsey when fit and on form may not be able to get into the squad!
This surprises no one.
posted on 27/8/16
comment by Sir Digby (U6039)
posted 18 minutes ago
Ramsey when fit and on form may not be able to get into the squad!
This surprises no one.
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you say that, but to date Wenger has shoe-horned him into the side whenever possible, it will be refreshing to see him left out for a change
posted on 27/8/16
Only Ozil and Sanchez jump off the page, and I rate Koscielny, but everyone else wouldn't look out of place at Stoke, Everton et al
posted on 27/8/16
you left out Wilshere but I also aluded to the same thing some weeks back.
I am worried about how long it will take for us to gel and if it wont be too late by then.We may see our best form in the second half of the season.
posted on 27/8/16
Cech
Bellerin - Mustafi - Koscielny - Monreal
Xhaka
Perez - Ozil - Cazorla/Wilshere - Sanchez
Giroud
I think that's our strongest attacking team. I know Giroud is not a world class striker but Perez isn't either from what I've seen - better working with Giroud I suspect. Cazorla or Wilshere is tough and would be on day-to-day form.
There is NO way The Ox gets anywhere near our first 11