Another day, another huge element of unpredictability surrounding Arsenal pending performance as they get set to go east across London to meet West Ham at the London Stadium.
Freddie's third game in charge and yes there has been evidence of slightly more attacking play free from rigidity but its still way off from where this group should be. With Manchester United and Spurs both gaining ground yesterday with wins of their own, if there wasn't pressure in the last two games, there sure is now. Getting cut adrift is as bad as it can get - if we weren't there already.
The defence, excluding Bernd Leno, could literally change game on game with most defenders hugely out of form or off the pace. David Luiz is the only ever present under Freddie so far but he's still to actually impress in his Arsenal career to date whilst Sokratis' return last time out failed to flatter. Rob Holding has missed out on both of the last two league match squads, leaving Calum Chambers and Shkodran Mustafi the other two very possible options. It'll be a back four regardless but again, it could be another busy day for Leno between the sticks.
Going forward, Nicolas Pepe surely has to start. He impressed the most last time out and deserves a spot from the off. West Ham's full backs aren't the strongest defensively so targeting one with Pepe's dangerously quick feet could be ideal. In central midfield, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira looked more like the duo we saw early last season so they could pair up and start together once again. Dani Ceballos remains unavailable with a hamstring injury. Mesut Ozil shoehorned into wide areas doesn't help anyone; he needs to be behind a front two (or three) to really dictate. His form hasn't been great but what better time to pick it up and lead his side to victory. Aubameyang and Lacazette are seemingly the favoured options to start in attack but Martinelli, Saka and Nelson will be looking to rain on this parade and gain some minutes to impress. Ultimately, whoever starts just needs to get back to basics and shoot at goal, on target and regularly. It's not hard.
The hosts continue to be without former Gunners stopper Fabianski with long term injury whilst Lanzini has a fractured collarbone so he'll miss out too. Michail Antonio faces a late fitness on his temperamental hamstrings but another former Arsenal man in Jack Wilshere is available again after injury. Dangerman Felipe Anderson has been moved inside to an orthodox number ten role of late and has really got things going in attack. In partnership with Haller (or Antonio) up top, it's been good but the side still sit 16th at the time of writing. In midfield, young dynamo Declan Rice will partner die hard Hammer and captain Mark Noble who is a stalwart and gets his team up for every challenge but can't drive everything. It's been three league losses on the bounce and ideally for Arsenal, it'll end up a fourth.
As Freddie has called of late; it's time for Arsenal's senior players to turn up and make a difference. The club needs them now.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Calum Chambers
CB: David Luiz
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 2-1 win to Arsenal
@craigbennett10
Freddie's third game in charge and yes there has been evidence of slightly more attacking play free from rigidity but its still way off from where this group should be. With Manchester United and Spurs both gaining ground yesterday with wins of their own, if there wasn't pressure in the last two games, there sure is now. Getting cut adrift is as bad as it can get - if we weren't there already.
The defence, excluding Bernd Leno, could literally change game on game with most defenders hugely out of form or off the pace. David Luiz is the only ever present under Freddie so far but he's still to actually impress in his Arsenal career to date whilst Sokratis' return last time out failed to flatter. Rob Holding has missed out on both of the last two league match squads, leaving Calum Chambers and Shkodran Mustafi the other two very possible options. It'll be a back four regardless but again, it could be another busy day for Leno between the sticks.
Going forward, Nicolas Pepe surely has to start. He impressed the most last time out and deserves a spot from the off. West Ham's full backs aren't the strongest defensively so targeting one with Pepe's dangerously quick feet could be ideal. In central midfield, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira looked more like the duo we saw early last season so they could pair up and start together once again. Dani Ceballos remains unavailable with a hamstring injury. Mesut Ozil shoehorned into wide areas doesn't help anyone; he needs to be behind a front two (or three) to really dictate. His form hasn't been great but what better time to pick it up and lead his side to victory. Aubameyang and Lacazette are seemingly the favoured options to start in attack but Martinelli, Saka and Nelson will be looking to rain on this parade and gain some minutes to impress. Ultimately, whoever starts just needs to get back to basics and shoot at goal, on target and regularly. It's not hard.
The hosts continue to be without former Gunners stopper Fabianski with long term injury whilst Lanzini has a fractured collarbone so he'll miss out too. Michail Antonio faces a late fitness on his temperamental hamstrings but another former Arsenal man in Jack Wilshere is available again after injury. Dangerman Felipe Anderson has been moved inside to an orthodox number ten role of late and has really got things going in attack. In partnership with Haller (or Antonio) up top, it's been good but the side still sit 16th at the time of writing. In midfield, young dynamo Declan Rice will partner die hard Hammer and captain Mark Noble who is a stalwart and gets his team up for every challenge but can't drive everything. It's been three league losses on the bounce and ideally for Arsenal, it'll end up a fourth.
As Freddie has called of late; it's time for Arsenal's senior players to turn up and make a difference. The club needs them now.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Calum Chambers
CB: David Luiz
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 2-1 win to Arsenal
@craigbennett10
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