With most of his playing staff away on international duty, Arteta hasn't got a lot to work with this week, but he has got to formulate a plan for Spurs that won't include Declan Rice or Mikel Merino.
Jorginho, Partey, Odegaard is maybe the obvious choice, but one where you question the legs of the midfield. Going up against a combination of 2 from Bentancur, Sarr and Bissouma, with Maddison in the AM role, the fear is we would be outrun.
It should also be noted Jorginho wasn't bought on when Rice was sent off, nor has he appeared in any game this season. He does have an advantage of not being on international duty so Arteta has him to work with all week.
With the abundance of left backs, one solution talked about is converting Jurrien Timber to a midfield role. I have a fair few misgivings about this, he has never really played in midfield plus his fitness levels (cramped up after just 70 on Saturday). While I have no doubt about his technical ability, I am not sure he has the tools to play in midfield.
Another LB who could be considered in Oleksandr Zinchenko. Unlike Timber, Zinchenko has a history of playing in the #8 role - almost his entire international career has been in midfield. With both Timber and Calafiori seemingly ahead of him in the LB queue a change in club position could help Zinchenko get minutes.
A riskier, more attack minded, option would be Leandro Trossard. He played a central role for Brighton a lot, and also for us last season in wins over Brentford and Wolves. Both times was alongside Odegaard with Rice in the DM role. His main role on the left has the added option of Raheem Sterling, and our new man is another who has played in a central role. He started last season there against Liverpool in a credible 1-1 draw for Chelsea, but it must be noted they had a back 3/wing backs.
Arguably a more likely impact of Sterling - if Gabriel Jesus is still out or not ready to start - is either Raheem or Trossard to play up front and Kai Havertz to drop into the midfield. If Jesus is fit then he can obviously start up front. It is a thought that will send chills down the spine of Arsenal fans considering our defeats last season nearly all came with Havertz in midfield. He has also started the season with goals, so to disrupt that momentum.
My personal belief is Arteta will go with the last option even if Jesus is not fit. A NLD debut for Sterling up front?
Of course, there is the potential of more injuries during the international week - all eyes on Ghana's captain and their 2 games.
How to replace Rice?
posted 1 week, 5 days ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 11 minutes ago
The MF position is very important, can't play timber there
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Why not. Timber can play that role ffs.
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Since when? Ben white has also played there in the past, doesn't mean your going to play him there v spurs.
Reality is, Timber will be practically operating as MF player anyway with havertz occupying space on the left sided flanks
posted 1 week, 5 days ago
It’s impossible to replace Rice, whether he’s playing for England or Arsenal. Very unique player
posted 1 week, 5 days ago
Timber has never played CM in his career, think GT has been watching his twin Q.
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
It's the sort of game where we probably don't need to be that creative in terms of midfield play as we saw in the previous game all it took was one straight ball and we were in behind them. We just need someone who is disciplined who can cover the required ground. Obviously that is if we are going to play a similar way as before in that we just keep them honest and just wait for the mistake we know they are going to make. If he decides he wants to control the posession then obviously we are going to need something else in midfield.
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
I don't like the idea of any of the defenders playing in midfield. White, Timber, Califiori and Zinchenko are all more than capable I'm sure and step into those areas comfortably but it's different being the extra man stepping into midfield compared to being a midfielder.
I actually completely forgot about Jesus and if he's fit, him up top with Havertz in midfield will likely be how we line up.
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
Would say Zinchenko is a midfielder playing in defence at the moment, so a move to his more natural role may help him and us.
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
comment by 50 No longer trusting the process (U1147)
posted 15 hours, 13 minutes ago
It’s impossible to replace Rice, whether he’s playing for England or Arsenal. Very unique player
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It's impossible to replace him, but possible to get results in his absence.
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
comment by 50 No longer trusting the process (U1147)
posted 15 hours, 19 minutes ago
It’s impossible to replace Rice, whether he’s playing for England or Arsenal. Very unique player
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So we play with 10 men?? 😂😂
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
Would say Zinchenko is a midfielder playing in defence at the moment, so a move to his more natural role may help him and us.
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Yeah true, I do remember wanting to try him there when Havertz was ambling about in the middle of the park at the start of last season when we looked quite turgid. Given he plays there half the time anyway when leaving his left back spot. Also plays there for Ukraine too.
posted 1 week, 4 days ago
I think this down to our system. The left no.8 is tasked to press and add a presence in the box, and the right no.8 is the creative player who sits just outside the box. The no.6 drives from deep and has to be someone who reads/intercepts/tempo control type player. Zinny is creative and reads the game and can definitely control tempo, but he can't press. I think his style is similar to a more attacking version of Jorginho.
Havertz is actually very good at pressing. Merino has elite stats of doing that in Liga and Rice can certainly press.