Hello everyone.
The final international games took place yesterday and now, as always, we're assessing the damage done to our squad.
Injury update
Ozil will, of course, be out for long, Koscielny's state is unclear, with reports suggesting the Frenchman should be fit to face Hull, but the latest injury worry is Welbeck. Our last-gasp summer purchase seemed to have rolled his ankle two days ago and was subsequently subbed. He went straight down the tunnel with the physiologist, but Hodgson later assured everyone that Welbeck is alright and should be available for the weekend. I sincerely hope it's the case.
However, there is also good news for the Gunners on the injury front. Ramsey is just a couple of days away from joining the main group, which means Arteta is likely to do the same. Arsene also said Giroud is ahead of schedule after Olivier was operated on successfully. Wenger didn't elaborate on what "ahead of schedule" means, so I don't expect the French international to be back earlier than the beginning of December. However, the more interesting bit comes later:
"Welbeck and Giroud can play together in the centre or separately. Welbeck also played on one side to Manchester United. Welbeck played in the same team with Rooney and van Persie. He can play down the sides."
I hope it's only hypothetical. We've all seen how effective Welbeck is down the middle. Also, one of the reasons why Daniel decided to part ways with United was his wide role. I'd rather Arsene explored the possibility of playing Giroud and Welbeck together as two centre-forwards, but we'll cross that bridge when we get Olivier up and running.
For now, though, we have Walcott and Gnabry up and running and their return got me thinking about our possible line-ups. So here goes.
Possible formation and approach with Ozil out
I know it sounds cynical, but it looks like Walcott will be a replacement for Ozil. I mean positionally. This season the German was mostly deployed on the flank, though he was given license to roam to spread the play and do his magic. In this regard Cazorla will most likely pick up the slack, with Wilshere more than able to help out.
It is obvious a fully-fit Walcott should start games, so this means Alexis will be shifted wide left to accommodate Walcott on the right. Until the Englishman is back to his best I'd really like the Ox to be given a run of games.
As paradoxical as it sounds, Ozil's injury + Walcott's return may finally prompt us to return to 4-2-3-1. If not on paper, then definitely on the pitch. With two pure wingers and Cazorla centrally it'll be much closer to 4-2-3-1. Unless Wenger suddenly decides that Cazorla should play on the wing, with Wilshere and Ramsey in the middle of the park. Which is not completely out of question. It is clear Arsene gives every chance to Wilshere, while Ramsey, when fit, also starts. On more than just a couple of occasions this has led to both being deployed centrally. It's fair to say this experiment hasn't quite worked out yet, but it CAN in the future. There's a brilliant piece on the subject from Tim Stillman, over on Goonersphere. Check it out.
Right now, though, it'll make more sense to deploy Cazorla as a playmaker with Rosicky waiting in the wings. It looks like the Czech has a fair number of games coming his way, so he should be getting ready for these.
Finally for today, there's a good piece in the Mirror (yeah, I know, but don't laugh) on our injury crisis. I basically never believe anything written there, so this an exception. Worth checking out.
That's it for now. Sorry it's a bit short, but not much happening still. I'll get back to you in a couple of days, most likely with Hull preview.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
The final international games took place yesterday and now, as always, we're assessing the damage done to our squad.
Injury update
Ozil will, of course, be out for long, Koscielny's state is unclear, with reports suggesting the Frenchman should be fit to face Hull, but the latest injury worry is Welbeck. Our last-gasp summer purchase seemed to have rolled his ankle two days ago and was subsequently subbed. He went straight down the tunnel with the physiologist, but Hodgson later assured everyone that Welbeck is alright and should be available for the weekend. I sincerely hope it's the case.
However, there is also good news for the Gunners on the injury front. Ramsey is just a couple of days away from joining the main group, which means Arteta is likely to do the same. Arsene also said Giroud is ahead of schedule after Olivier was operated on successfully. Wenger didn't elaborate on what "ahead of schedule" means, so I don't expect the French international to be back earlier than the beginning of December. However, the more interesting bit comes later:
"Welbeck and Giroud can play together in the centre or separately. Welbeck also played on one side to Manchester United. Welbeck played in the same team with Rooney and van Persie. He can play down the sides."
I hope it's only hypothetical. We've all seen how effective Welbeck is down the middle. Also, one of the reasons why Daniel decided to part ways with United was his wide role. I'd rather Arsene explored the possibility of playing Giroud and Welbeck together as two centre-forwards, but we'll cross that bridge when we get Olivier up and running.
For now, though, we have Walcott and Gnabry up and running and their return got me thinking about our possible line-ups. So here goes.
Possible formation and approach with Ozil out
I know it sounds cynical, but it looks like Walcott will be a replacement for Ozil. I mean positionally. This season the German was mostly deployed on the flank, though he was given license to roam to spread the play and do his magic. In this regard Cazorla will most likely pick up the slack, with Wilshere more than able to help out.
It is obvious a fully-fit Walcott should start games, so this means Alexis will be shifted wide left to accommodate Walcott on the right. Until the Englishman is back to his best I'd really like the Ox to be given a run of games.
As paradoxical as it sounds, Ozil's injury + Walcott's return may finally prompt us to return to 4-2-3-1. If not on paper, then definitely on the pitch. With two pure wingers and Cazorla centrally it'll be much closer to 4-2-3-1. Unless Wenger suddenly decides that Cazorla should play on the wing, with Wilshere and Ramsey in the middle of the park. Which is not completely out of question. It is clear Arsene gives every chance to Wilshere, while Ramsey, when fit, also starts. On more than just a couple of occasions this has led to both being deployed centrally. It's fair to say this experiment hasn't quite worked out yet, but it CAN in the future. There's a brilliant piece on the subject from Tim Stillman, over on Goonersphere. Check it out.
Right now, though, it'll make more sense to deploy Cazorla as a playmaker with Rosicky waiting in the wings. It looks like the Czech has a fair number of games coming his way, so he should be getting ready for these.
Finally for today, there's a good piece in the Mirror (yeah, I know, but don't laugh) on our injury crisis. I basically never believe anything written there, so this an exception. Worth checking out.
That's it for now. Sorry it's a bit short, but not much happening still. I'll get back to you in a couple of days, most likely with Hull preview.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)