Arsenal Rumours Archive August 19 2017

19 Aug 2017 02:28:42
Sorry to see Gabriel depart as I liked his attitude. However, not learning English during his 2 year stay clearly didn't help and he was. disappointing on the pitch. It appears that Wenger will be giving Chambers a chance to resurrect his career at the club, although I can't say I'm over-enthusiastic about his chances of making it at the club.

Presumably Chambers can provide cover at RB and may form a good partnership with his international colleague Holding. So we look like starting the season with 5 CB's of which two are young players coming through. I have a feeling that Wenger may opt to use Monreal as a CB, Kolasinac at LWB. We now have only 7 players to cover the 5 defensive positions, which is a tad worrying. Mind you Ox, if he stays can play at RWB.

19 Aug 2017 05:35:09
RWB: Bellerin, (Ox) , Maitland-Niles, Nelson
CB: Koscielny, Mustafi, Mertesacker, Chambers, Holding, Monreal, Bielik (Kolasinac)
LWB: Kolasinac, (Monreal) , Ox, Bramall

Assuming Jenkinson, Debuchy, Gibbs go and Ox stays, that's a reasonably strong starting trio of Kos, Mustafi, Mertesacker/ Holding at CB though we could arguably do with an upgrade, and Bellerin/ Kola at wingback has the potential to be best in the league. I think Ox will get less game time in defence (and overall) once the window shuts. Decent depth too as I rate Bielik.

I think letting Gabriel go was the right move, as Holding has shown a lot of promise despite his shaky game against Leicester. Not too worried about defence as it only looked exposed when we lacked our 3 starting CBs - much more worried about midfield. Seri/ Goretzka should be our top priority and Draxler if we can get him.

19 Aug 2017 06:40:20
Hi Wire - without doubling up player's position-wise and including youngsters that in almost all cases are nowhere near ready for the first team:
RWB: Bellerin and Ox
LWB: Kolasinac and Monreal
CB: Mertesacker, Mustafi, Chambers, Holding and Koscielny
Total of 9 players for 5 defensive positions, including Ox, who may depart despite what Wenger is stating. With Gabriel it would have been 10, so two players for each position.
As far as the youngsters go, of the ones you mentioned only Nelson looks at present to have the ability to play in the first team, the rest need to be loaned out to gain experience whilst they mature as players. In Nelson's case he looks to have the ability, but he looked a more offensive player and I'm nt sure about the defensive side of his game. I still feel we need another CB and a replacement for Ox if he departs.

19 Aug 2017 11:06:34
Surely nelson should be playing in one of the two spots behind the striker if he comes on?

19 Aug 2017 14:25:55
no. why would he?