Arsene Wenger CONSIDERING picking Calum Chambers AND Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Arsenal’s midfield at Everton

Football is back and the Arsenal are playing again! It hasn’t been the best two games we’ve played, both being very nervy and tricky fixtures. But the most important thing is that we won the first match of the season and we did not lose our away fixture in the Champions League qualifiers, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

I do not want to discuss how the players performed because we all know that they looked jaded and still didn’t have that chemistry between them. The only player worth mentioning here who really impressed and was a surprise to all of us was Calum Chambers. At 19 years of age he looked so calm and composed, like he played at center back for ages. We surely have to give it up to Le Prof for seeing that and playing Calum there, because at 19 years it is a big ask and a huge responsibility.

With the likes of Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil coming into the first team this week, we will see a different Arsenal vs. Everton (if Arsene Wenger decides to play them).  Per Mertesacker is commanding on the field, he gives orders to players and organises the defence. Lukas Podolski has that ruthless approach in his game and his finishing is exceptional and finally Mesut Ozil gives us the calmness and classy approach of finding runners and spotting spaces to pass to players.

The Everton game is going to be very tough. They have very good players in their ranks and with Mikel Arteta and Kieran Gibbs missing, we might be in a bit of trouble. Remember last season when we lost 3-0 at Everton? Roberto Martinez played Romelu Lukaku on Nacho Monreal and we suffered every time they went forward.

Depending on the Germans’ fitness levels, I believe the best way to play is having a back four of Mathieu Debuchy, Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal. In central midfield we can select Calum Chambers and Aaron Ramsey, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being my personal choice to sit in front of them, along with Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. It would be harsh to leave Calum Chambers out of the starting XI and I think he fits perfectly in central midfield as well.

When Manchester United played against teams like Real Madrid and Arsenal under Sir Alex Ferguson, they played Phil Jones in that defensive midfield role and he did very well to protect the back four. With Arteta injured for the Everton game, Chambers can slot right in and he will definitely do well, protecting and supporting the defence.

With that formation and the introductions of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Flamini and/or Lukas Podolski later in the game, I believe that we will be fine and snatch the three points from Goodison Park.

Let’s hope the Germans are fit to start and our performance in the final third improves on Saturday.

How would you like to see Arsenal’s lineup vs. Everton?

Up the Arsenal!

Daniel Baz
Follow @Dani14Baz

Daniel Baz

Daniel is a 24 year-old Arsenal fan from Lebanon. He was born in Orlando, Florida, but grew up -and now resides – in war-torn Beirut. He has a degree in Business Marketing and is currently studying for a FIFA Sports Management Certificate.

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Follow @Dani14Baz