Arsenal selection doubts before Liverpool game
Cesc Fabregas has already committed his future to Arsenal but three doubts still remain with Arsenal’s title quest. The first and foremost is the absence of a world class goal keeper. The second is the recruitment of just one central defender in a summer when four have departed the club and lastly, Arsenal’s perennial problem of keeping the majority of their squad fit for the season. Perhaps a whole new medical staff would suffice.
But the good news is that Wenger still has time to buy and try to fix two most glaring flaws in his squad. The bad is that it has been said over and over again for months now and nothing has been done so far and perhaps their worst problem of injuries is already threatening to undermine their challenge this season.
As many as 6 first team regulars, including 5 midfielders, are currently sidelined with injury and are deemed doubtful for their first high profile clash of the season with Liverpool at Anfield.
A die hard optimist may point to the fact that Arsenal had 8 players sidelined for their opening day fixture against Everton last season but things are not looking good.
The depth in Arsene Wenger’s squad is phenomenal barring the centre half position, which is no trifling matter. But the Frenchman has at least two players available for every position and it is only fair to say that with a fully fit squad, Wenger may have selection headaches.
Wenger’s hinge player this season may well be Samir Nasri as Fabregas is short of training and match fitness and is being summoned to Mexico City just 3 days before the start of the season. Nasri is set to start on Sunday at Anfield in a role that is usually reserved for the skipper.
The long term decision that Wenger has to make is identifying the fact whether Nasri is a midfielder or a wide man. It’s a judgment that will have serious ramifications for the likes of Walcott, Diaby and Denilson among others. Also the balance of the team as a whole will depend on this judgment as Arsenal usually prefers to play a 4-3-3 formation.
The attacking trio of Fabregas, Arshavin and Van Persie is far more adventurous as compared to Walcott and Nasri partnering RVP in the attack. But riskier, when compared to having either Diaby, or, Denilson alongside Song, with Nasri out wide in the midfield.
So the midfield and attack remain undecided for Wenger as they have such versatile players, who can play in attack and midfield as effectively.
At the back Djourou looks set to partner Vermealen at the heart of the defence, leaving the new signing Laurent Koscielny uncertain about his position in the starting lineup. Gael Clichy is certain to start as the first choice left back while Bacary Sagna and Eboue will swap places at the right back position for home and away fixtures.
But the most baffling of all is the matter of who will be starting between the posts for Arsenal. Mark Schwarzer is still at Fulham and with just three days to the game it is unlikely that he will be signed in time for the Liverpool game. It likely that either Almunia or Fabianski will take the position between the sticks for the Gunners.
It’s a calamity-certain situation that should shame and embarrass Wenger. Following the farcical performances by Fabianski last season and the talk of Wojciech Szczesny being thrown into the deep end at Anfield, the situation looks very bleak for Arsenal.
It may even be a damning indictment of Wenger’s unfathomable non-works in the transfer market. That a 20-year old with no experience of English football outside Brentford may indeed be the best choice for a goalie in a fixture with such high stakes.
If Wenger is to somehow magically get around his goal keeping problems, the squad at his disposal is impressively strong and will give any team a run for their money but if not then it will be another season of doom and gloom for the Gunners.
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