Arsenal have been boosted by the return of World Cup winner Mesut Ozil after the German returned to action in the comfortable win over Stoke on Sunday.
But the question every Arsenal fan ponders is, what is Arsenal’s strongest XI?
Goalkeeper (David Ospina): With Wojciech Szczesny being omitted from the Arsenal team for their Premier League game against Stoke on Sunday, questions are being asked to whether or not the Pole still has a future at the Emirates. The Polish international has been in the spotlight for his poor performances and lack of concentration throughout games. His mistakes in the game against Southampton cost him dear, but it was his smoking scandal in the changing rooms after the game that has caused anger amongst Arsenal fans. This is why I believe that David Ospina is our strongest goalkeeper at the club and after his fine performances in the World Cup with Columbia, it is time he furthered his reputation.
Right Back (Hector Bellerin): Arsenal have been left frustrated with another injury to right back Mathieu Debuchy who dislocated his shoulder in the win against Stoke on the weekend. If Debuchy requires an operation, it would see him miss three more months of the season. So who’s the perfect replacement? In my opinion, there is no one better to fill the spot other than Hector Bellerin. Bellerin has come on leaps and bounds in his development and a run in the team would fasten his progression within the Premier League. His athleticism is a big plus and I believe that he should replace Debuchy in the team ahead of Calum Chambers who has struggled at right back.
Centre Backs (Per Mertersacker & Laurent Koscielny): The two obvious choices to fill in the centre back positions are Laurent Koscielny & Per Mertersacker. The partnership that they have struck over the years, has been the catalyst for success for Arsenal. This season Mertersacker has struggled for form after injury concerns over Koscielny and it has seen Arsenal struggle in the defensive positions with at times Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy being deployed at centre back. However, with the return to fitness for Koscielny, Arsenal fans will hopefully see a change in their defensive performances. The perfect combination.
Left Back (Kieran Gibbs): The best left back in England is the next in line to feature in Arsenal’s strongest team. Kieran Gibbs’s development and progression as Arsenal’s first team left back has seen the player return to the England team. His pace and agility to get up and down the pitch has made him become a top left back. Nacho Monreal is not a bad back up to have in the left back department however I believe that Gibbs when fit, is Arsenal’s best left back.
Defensive Midfield (Francis Coquelin): Francis Coquelin has been a massive positive for all Arsenal fans after his fine performances within the defensive midfield position. Coquelin was on loan with Charlton last month, but he has returned to offer the Gunners’ defence some much-needed protection. Arsenal have conceded three goals in the four games Coquelin has started, whereas the Gunners have conceded over a goal a game without the Frenchman playing in front of the back four. Coquelin in this very moment is Arsenal’s best holding midfielder and with Mikel Arteta currently out with a calf injury and the poor form of Flamini, Coquelin fills the position nicely.
Centre Midfield (Aaron Ramsey): Aaron Ramsey returned to take his place on the bench against Stoke on the weekend, and his return is a timely plus for Arsenal. Ramsey’s capability and energy to get up and down the pitch and notch in important goals was one of the main reasons, Arsenal lifted the F.A. Cup last season. His return is a boost and hopefully he can kick on.
Number 10 position (Mesut Ozil): Jose Mourinho in the past has likened, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil to legends such as Figo and Zidane. The Chelsea manager has even highlighted that the German is “the best number 10 in the world”. So what’s the problem? Ozil should be firing for Arsenal, shouldn’t he? Well, there lies the problem. In the past, Arsene Wenger has deployed the World Cup winner in a role that he doesn’t like. Ozil is not a winger. His job is not to track back. His job is to receive the ball and play passes upto the forwards. Mesut Ozil is the assist master. Wenger needs to acknowledge that if he plays Ozil in the number 10 position, Arsenal will be a much better proposition and Ozil will be a much better player. The German’s best position is in the number 10 role. Hopefully in the coming weeks, we’ll see the Ozil of Real Madrid emerge again.
Right Winger (Theo Walcott): Theo Walcott is the best option and the most capable option in terms of goals, assists and so on when it comes to the right wing position. Having just recovered from a knee ligament injury, Walcott will look to gain his place in the team after such a long time out. The pace and agility is still there. Walcott is in need of game time to sort his rustiness out and improve his finishing. Players like Alex Oxlade Chamberlain will seek to compete with Walcott but the flaws in Chamberlain’s game is that he hasn’t racked up enough assists or goals for my liking. Walcott is the obvious choice here.
Centre Forward (Olivier Giroud): At times Olivier Giroud can come across as frustrating for all Arsenal fans. His lack of clinical edge in big games, his lack of pace and so on. But he is a very good player. Giroud has the ability to get others into the game. Last season, he was one of the main reasons to why Aaron Ramsey picked up important goals. Remember the winner in the cup final against Hull? Who made it? Giroud of course. The Frenchman can pick up assists and has the ability to get 20 or more goals in the Premier League. His ability in the air and clever movement has seen him make an excellent start to his season after his return from a serious injury. Danny Welbeck is an astute back up however with the pace on the flanks with Walcott and Alexis, Giroud is my choice for the centre forward position.
Left Winger (Alexis Sanchez): Did this position really need asking? Who else but the man of the moment. Alexis Sanchez. After his move from Barcelona in the summer, the Chilean has not looked back. The Arsenal forward has the most goals and assists of any overseas player after 20 games of a Premier League season. Impressive. Likened to a “Duracell battery” from team mates, Alexis Sanchez’s pace, agility, work ethic is the common traits that have seen him make such an impressive start to life in England. The Chilean always has a smile on his face when stepping out onto the pitch. He has graced the Emirates with his skill and flair. After years of trying to find a successor for the great Thierry Henry, Arsenal may have finally found their man.
Arsenal’s best XI:
David Ospina, Hector Bellerin, Per Mertersacker, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez.