Four Burning Questions About Arsenal As The Season Kicks Off
With our 2-0 win over Lazio on Saturday, the book closed on Unai Emery’s first preseason as manager of Arsenal. When the team next takes the pitch, it will be for real.
As we look ahead to Arsenal’s kick off next Sunday versus current Champions, Manchester City. There remain a series of questions to be answered as many Gooners look to the new season with equal parts excitement and anxiety.
Who starts in Goal?
In the wake of Saturday’s match, we conducted a highly scientific poll – well actually it was a twitter poll, so not that scientific, okay, okay it wasn’t scientific at all. In it we asked who should Emery use as his number 1 goalkeeper?
74% of our respondents opted for new man, Bernd Leno. The rationale varied, from “he’s not Petr Cech” to “he should more ability to play the ball out of the back.”
Truth be told, I am not sure who is going to start because for what its worth I’ve felt both had very similar preseasons. Both actually handled playing the ball with their feet better than expected and made key saves when called on.
Petr Cech has the familiarity with the league and with the bulk of the team on his side. Working against them are a slew of performances, especially in the last season that made it necessary to bring in Bernd Leno.
Leno is young and is capable of working in the sweeper keeper role we’ve seen Manuel Neuer do, which may come in handy if Emery keeps employing a high line. But like the man he is competing for the number one spot with, past evidence shows a keeper who needs some work.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some sort of Goalkeeper rotation early on, looking for one to establish himself in this setup. Leno is probably the long-term solution as Cech enters his last year on a contract and I wouldn’t be surprised of Leno acts as the primary understudy slowly moving Cech out before the end of the season.
Which Center Back Pairing Starts?
We’ve seen the following combinations – Mustafi/Sokratis, Chambers/Holding and Mavropanos/Sokratis. As of this morning rumors are the Calum Chambers could be set for a season long loan at Fulham.
The move for Chambers could be a signal that Emery isn’t convinced by his defenders. There were some really good points to consider in social media when news of this transfer broke. Two I specifically noted are that Emery at PSG at mobile center backs to play in his 4-3-3. As we’ve seen none of our current center backs are highly mobile and composed on the ball.
There is some thought also that the move frees up space for a new LCB with some speculating that Mustafi, Sokratis and Chambers are RCB and Holding a LCB. Moving Chambers so you have a new LCB come in would make sense to them.
Regardless of all the speculation, I think what we are likely to see at least in the opening weeks is the pairing of Mustafi and Sokratis. It’s a more experienced pair and one that popped up in the preseason more than any other pairing.
Whether it’s a good enough pairing for the Premier League and Emery’s 4-3-3 remains to be seen. Remember, that last week we discussed that preseason is a time for fitness, well, that’s long past – its now time for the real thing and we Gooners are going to be very unforgiving if that pairing turns into the Looney Tunes.
Will Ramsey Stay Or Go?
The biggest question remaining this season is whether or not Aaron Ramsey will remain at Arsenal. And by remain we mean sign a new deal. As of right now the signs aren’t very encouraging.
From all the news or lack thereof, you’d be hard pressed not to think he’s off in one form or another. With only days left in English transfer window and no new deal signed, its becoming increasingly evident that he will move on.
Worryingly for Arsenal, at this moment there isn’t much of a market for him. Which could leave us with a situation very similar to Alexis Sanchez and last January’s transfer saga. It could be even worse as he could wait until the end of the season to maximize his potential.
Or. . .
He could reup at Arsenal akin to Mesut Özil’s deal. The fact is this, we simply don’t know but the signs are worrying.
On his day he is one of most influential players. However, on his worst he is a reminder of the frustrations of the Wenger era. It’s why I am so indifferent to his staying or going. I would prefer a player with his potential, coming into his prime stay at Arsenal but given his inconsistent down side, if he goes I won’t shed a tear.
We may hear more as we near Thursday’s transfer deadline, it’s one to stay tuned for.
Finally, How Will Arsenal Do This Season?
Ah, the eternal question. Will we see any sign of a reemergence of the Arsenal we love? It’s a loaded question. First, I don’t think we are going to be as bad as many of the early season punditry has said.
I do think Man City and Liverpool are the marks we’ve got to reach for. But they are also the perfect examples as to why we need to temper our expectations. It took Pep Guardiola a year to figure out the Premier League and instill his methods at City.
Similarly, the Gengenpresse of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool took a full 18 months for it to really come into where we see it now.
Maybe, the fact that Emery had a full preseason and most of his first team available to him throughout the summer will shorten that time frame. But I am not thinking anything other than a modest improvement over last year with us nipping into the top 4.
There were signs on Saturday vs Lazio when the primary players we know will be starting took the field, that they are starting to understand the system, from the pressing in the front and the quick counters when the ball is won. It looked much better in the 2nd half than the first when most of the just returning players and youngsters were on the pitch.
I am bullish on top 4 because I think that United are going to get the full force of Jose’s 3rd Season antics and I just wonder how good Spurs will be without any significant signings and most of their first team off. You can see a case of them getting off to a bad start and having to play catch up. Finally, Chelsea went through the early part of their preseason with one coach and now have a new one. And on the evidence, it looks like Sarri has his work cut out for him.
It’s the perfect storm for Arsenal to take advantage of. Of them and the three other teams they look like the team that most has its shit together at this point of the season.
Of course, the season is long, and things happen. Still, I am cautiously optimistic we’re going to improve and keep improving.
What concerns or questions are you still considering for this upcoming season?
