NFL
By: Ty Reeves
After suffering a beyond embarrassing loss to Manchester City away from home, Arsenal sits dead last in the Premier League table with a goal difference of negative nine. What’s good for the Gunners is the only way to go after hitting rock bottom is up. As an Arsenal fan, I really hope this could be the start of a push towards the top six in the table, but only time will tell.
A Questionable Way to Close the Transfer Window
With all the rumors surrounding the club about who would stay and who would leave it was perhaps a disappointing way to end the Transfer Window for Arsenal. The board did keep part of their promise and backed Arteta with over 150$ Million. But the question still remains if they used that money wisely.
Transfer window 2021/22 ✅
✍️ Read a full round-up of every single Arsenal deal this summer, across our men's, women's and academy teams 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 1, 2021
On deadline day, fans were expecting another big signing. Similar to the way Arsenal went about getting Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid last year, but that was not the case. It was well known that the Gunners had the opportunity to sign Houssem Aouar from French side Lyon. But the Arsenal decided not to pull the trigger on the maestro. The same goes for one target that many fans wanted to partner Partey in the midfield. Yves Bissouma, who was thought to be Arsenal’s number one target, managed to stay at Brighton.
Arsenal did make one deadline day signing. They brought in Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Italian club Bologna. Tomiyasu is considered a versatile defender that could play as a right-back and center-back. It is apparent that he will jump to the top of the pecking order after poor performances from Chambers and Soares, and the departure of Hector Bellerin to Real Betis.
Who have you got for 21/22? 🤔
Tomiyasu is in the game 🔴⚪️ #FPL | @OfficialFPL pic.twitter.com/MfN9dfCVbp
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 1, 2021
More Controversy
This season has gotten off to a nightmare start. Sitting last in the table, the injuries, the disappointment. Now, it seems as more situations are coming into the light.
Versatile player Ainsley Maitland-Niles made a very concerning post stating “I just want to go where I’ll play and where I’m wanted.” This post was made after Arsenal blocked his transfer to Everton this past week.
Maitland-Niles in the past year has gone from England call-up to Arsenal’s third choice right back and it’s not clear why this is. Many thought it was because of his desire to play in a midfield role. But reports in the last few days say that he has told Arteta he only wants to play as a defender. You think with Arsenal’s lack of performance from the right-back position that this would open up the opportunity for him to run away with the position. But this has not been the case.
Maitland-Niles proved to be a pivotal part of Arteta’s squad when he first took over the club. He was the first-choice option both as a right-back and a wing-back and showed promise in both positions.
🗣"That one is resolved and I am happy he has stayed."
Mikel Arteta reveals Ainsley Maitland-Niles' reaction to staying at Arsenal this summer. pic.twitter.com/mTqB9c6Vc3
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 9, 2021
He was perhaps playing the best football of his career during Arsenal’s FA Cup run in 2020. Playing as a left-wing-back, being able to stay wide as well as stick to the outside. With him, in this position, it perhaps brought out the best in Aubameyang as a left-winger. Allowing him more freedom and less defensive responsibility.
But over the past year, Arteta has gone away from the style of play. Which in return, saw Maitland-Niles getting less playing time, and eventually going on loan to West Brom.
It is also apparent that Mohamed Elneny could also leave the club in the coming days. Even though the Egyptian midfielder has been a key member of the squad under Arteta, he has gotten a lot of interest from Turkish clubs, and apparently, Arsenal is open to selling him.
What to expect ahead of Norwich Clash
🤩 @ThomasPartey22 is back!
Watch the latest training edit ahead of our return to @PremierLeague action on Saturday 📺
📍 Arsenal Training Centre
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 8, 2021
For the first time this season, Arsenal has something good going for them going into the game on Saturday. One, they’re playing Norwich. Two, Gabriel, Ben White, and Partey, have all been spotted in training and could all be available for selection on Saturday. This would mean that Arsenal would have a borderline healthy squad for the first time since pre-season.
With Granit Xhaka being out with Covid/Suspension, this means we could probably see the Partey and Lokonga duo in the midfielder for the first time this season. And with Gabriel returning, that could also mean fans could see White and Gabriel pair up in the heart of the defense.
So to say that the international break came at the right time is more like a blessing from the heavens for Arsenal.
Ty’s Predicted Starting XI
If Arsenal loses to Norwich, Arteta might as well start packing his bags. So, I believe he will put out one of his stronger lineups against the Canaries.
Even though I predict he will switch formations every week, he has yet to do so. So I’m going to make an educated guess and say we stick with a four-back system. I believe that Leno will still hold on to his number one spot, even after last week’s 5-0 loss. Tierney will start perusal, while White and Gabriel will serve as the two center-backs. Even though Tomiyasu is now in the squad, I think Nuno Tavares should get the chance to start this weekend.
Partey will start alongside Sambi Lokonga in the holding midfield roles, with Martin Odegaard starting in front of them in the number 10 role. Emile Smith-Rowe has recently returned to London Colney from England Under 21’s after feeling unwell. But if he is fit then I see him starting as one of the more advanced midfielders out wide.
The same goes for Bukayo Saka who has been incredible with England during the World Cup Qualifiers. And to lead the line will be Aubameyang who will benefit from the return of White and Partey as they both have the ability to play the long balls behind the defense.
