Arteta will have huge strength in depth (Credit: Arsenal.com)
As Premier League fanatics and supporters of a team on a roll, we now find ourselves in a dreaded international break. A frustrating time for multiple reasons; a threat to Arsenal’s momentum, no Gunners to watch and of course, the fretting over potential injures to our stars on duty for their countries.
The latter has seen Arteta, and his squad deprived of their talismanic, temp setting skipper Odegaard, since the last international break. In fairness Arsenal have adapted their approach without the Norwegian, and have managed to keep winning, even if the wins have not been achieved in the same fluent style.
Indeed, the Premier League betting, will reflect the strong position Arsenal find themselves, sitting comfortably in the top 4 and unbeaten, despite having played 3 of the toughest away matches, 2 without Odegaard. Arteta will hope to have his playmaker back after the break for the visit to Bournemouth, but he does not have to rush his captain, now that new signing Merino is fit and playing, and his team are finding a way in his absence. In fact Odegaard delivered a positive update in the matchday programme ahead of last week’s Southampton game, suggesting rehab was going well and would intensify in the international break.
Despite managing without Odegaard, the adapted 4231, with Rice sitting deeper, has meant less fluency in attack and his return can only improve the team. With summer’s big midfield buy Merino now close to starting, and the club’s skipper soon to return, it has us all salivating and pondering what will be Arteta’s go to 11.
Mikel Merino, has been in the news this week, questioning the English football calendar after his own injury, but he is back in the Spain squad. If we assume Merino and Odegaard will occupy the two ‘8’ roles, going forward, most fans believe this will see Declan Rice moving back to the deepest role, recently shared by Partey and Jorginho. This shuffle will also leave Arteta having to decide between a resurgent Gabriel Martinelli and the hugely consistent and incisive Leo Trossard on the left.
Most Arsenal observers feel the new left footed left side with Merino and Califiori has been brough in to get the best from the Brazilian, which may well leave the Belgian again banging on there Manager’s door. A real dilemma for Arteta, but what a lovely decision to need to make. That is not even considering Raheem Sterling, often playing off the left but perhaps equally able to deputise for Saka on the right.
Similarly with the Italian, Calafiori looking so good at left back our manager will need to decide between White and Timber on the right. Another difficult decision but another one to be made from a position of great strength. In the past 2 seasons, when pushing for the Premier League, injuries and squad depth have undoubtedly cost us dear, but it is hard to see that in 2025.There is a very real chance that by the time Arsenal face the current league leaders, Liverpool, on the 27th of October, Arteta’s bench of game changers might be this – Jesus, Trossard, Partey. White/Timber, Jorginho, Sterling, Tomiyasu and just for spice, Nwaneri.
Invincible squad depth
Wow, just wow, it may have been 20 years since, the Invincible campaign, that our bench was full of actual potential gamechangers – Kanu, Reyes, Edu, Parlour, Wiltord, Keown, Cygan and Aliadiere anyone?
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Morning, as you say, its a squad game, and we look well stocked for a long season.
One thing, I’m not sure about formation going forward “with 2 eights”. Will that be a 4-1-4-1 in attack and 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 in defence?