Fantasy Planning - Arsenal

[Guilbert53]

After adding questions about the teams that finished between first and fourth last season (Chelsea, Spurs, Man C, Liverpool) - here is a "question" about the team that finished fifth - Arsenal.

Because they finished fifth this year Arsenal are playing in the Europa League.

Even though they won the FA Cup last season I think many of their fans will see it as a disappointing season as they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time for about 15 years.

This is even more so when Conte can come in to Chelsea and win the Premier League in his first season, when Arsenal have not won it since the 2003/2004 season.

Arsenal had the 7th best defence in the Premier League last season, letting in 44 goals, however that was 18 more than Spurs who had the best defence, letting in 26 goals.

Arsenal had a fairly settled defence last season with Cech in goal, centre backs Koscielny and Mustaphi, and wing backs Bellerin and Monreal. Holding and Gabriel also played some games. Centre back Mertesacker was out for most of the season with injury.

I think the defensive "problems" may have been the midfield in front of them which did not give the defence enough protection. Through the season there never seemed to be a settled midfield.

Midfield players who were regular include Xhaka, Coquelin, Ozil and Ramsey (though Ramsey missed a lot of games through injury).

Other players who played in midfield or up front included Sanchez, Walcott, Chamberlain, Giroud, and Iwobi, though it has to said apart from Sanchez the rest did not always play regularly.

Wellbeck played in the second half of the season but missed a lot of the first half through injury.

A few players have left since last season but none of them major "first team" players.

However there is talk of maybe Sanchez leaving (maybe also Ozil) so we will have to wait and see.

They do have a large squad and a number of players have not been involved in pre-season and some or all of them may leave on loan or be sold. They include Gibbs, Lucas Perez, Jenkinson, Debuchy, Gabriel, Wilshere and Campbell.

There has also been talk about Giroud leaving even though he HAS been involved pre-season.

Manager Wenger has bought two new players,

Lacazette - Striker from Lyon for about £50 million
Kolasinac - Defender from Schalke on a free transfer (end of contract)

They do have some injuries though. Carzola and Wilshere have yet to be involved in any pre season matches (and Wilshere may leave anyway)

Any success Arsenal have this season may depend on if they can keep Sanchez, how well Lacazette plays up front, and who else they bring in before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

[horseshoes]

It bodes well to see Kolasinac score on his debut. Perhaps this will be "our" year.

[Guilbert53]

>>>I think the defensive "problems" may have been the midfield in front of them

I said the above text in my overview above and I think last night bore it out.

The third Leicester goal was a classic example.

An Arsenal midfield player lost the ball (or gave it away) and the defence seemed to crumble in front of the Leicester attack.

Arsenal need a strong holding midfield player in front of the back 4 (or 5) like Kante or Matic (or Viera!)

Xhaka is not the answer.