Was just pondering what will/should be our first choice starting XI assuming (1) full health and fitness and (2) no further transfers. I'm fascinated to see what Wenger comes up with in this regard but, I suppose, my guess would be it looks something like this: ---------------------------------Cech------------------------------------ Bellerin------------Gabriel---------------Kos-----------------Monreal ------------------------Ramsey-------Xhaka--------------------------- Ox-----------------------------Ozil-------------------------------Alexis -------------------------------Giroud----------------------------------- What's crazy is that I'm not even sure if this is more correctly titled what I want or what I expect. We seem to have an overabundance of central players as I think any of Wilshere, Coquelin, Elneny or Santi could have been slotted into a starting role centrally. I'm really interested to hear the thought of others on what our first choice XI (if such a thing ever really exists) will and/or should be...
Assuming no more transfers I could see your lineup or something similar with Ramsey, Wilshire or Iwobi on the wing instead of Ox with Santi or ElNeny pair with Xhaka if Ramsey goes wide.
.......alexis......giroud ..............ozil ....Ramsey. ..elneny ...............xaka Mon..kos...?????...bell .............cech For me
Based on the preseason so far, I'd guess our opening day lineup against Liverpool is: Walcott Iwobi-Wilshere-Ox Xhaka-Coq/Elneny Monreal-Gabriel-Chambers-Bellerin Cech
If we don't sign anybody: Cech Bellerin Monreal Kos Chambers Xhaka Coquelin Cazorla Iwobi Campbell Giroud
Cech Baller Gabriel Nacho Gibbo Elneny Xaka Coq Ox Iwobi Theo Not too many options at the start of season.
I'd go with the OP line up with switch OX for Cazorla until Chamb can prove he can play in the regular season. Then Caz and Ozil could switch off.
Well the topic of the post was starting 11. This is if everyone is fully healthy, not right now. Bellerin Kos Gabriel Monreal Xhaka Ramsey Ox Ozil Alexis Giroud iI'm tempted to put Elneny in there. Dude is going to be a beast this season. I really like him. I think the only thing he lacks is work in the final third (which he won't be there often anyway). He is a poor man's Xhavi. Good on his feet, very good with one-twos. That right wing slot may shuffle a lot based on form. Ox goes missing too much for me. No one really is a lock there. Joel is missing some quality to start. So that spot is between Joel, Iwobi, Ox. Santi was great yesterday so it's huge that he can come off the bench. Also, to me, Coquelin may as well find another club. He won't be seen unless there are a lot of injuried. All in all we are def deep this season. We have no concerns with the midfield. CF however there is only Walcott/Giroud. Walcott is better off trying to play there because he won't play in midfield.
Pretty much agree with the first two posts. I'm all for anything that keeps Walcott off the field. Preferably off the island. F*** it, just shoot the lad. Please.