The XI: Dortmund vs Arsenal – Flamini and Ozil out!
Preferred line-up
Szczesny
Chambers – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Gibbs
Arteta – Ramsey
Ox– Wilshere– Sanchez
Welbeck
Why?
The changes at the back are inevitable. In fact those are the only four defenders available in Arsenal’s senior squad. How brilliant.
In midfield, there were two players from the Manchester City match who have to be withdrawn. That will be Mathieu Flamini and Mesut Ozil. The former has lost his athleticism as a defensive midfielder while the latter has somehow lost the ability to even perform. Flamini is aging and his decline is understandable but whatever lies behind Ozil’s drop in form – which goes all the way back to winter 2014 – remains a mystery. The issue with Ozil is really lack of work ethic more so than lack of form. Playing out of position or not, you can accept a bad day from any player, but what is unacceptable is a lazy day. With that said, the occasionally puzzling Arsene Wenger may continue to play Ozil on Tuesday – out of position or not.
Arteta is not the idle defensive midfielder, but he is the best we have. So the Spaniard should slot back in there along with someone else in Ramsey who has some of the muscle that Arsenal often lacks in midfield when without possession. After his exploits on Saturday. Jack Wilshere should be assigned the role of creativity source, feeding the forward line.
No one needs a reminder that Dortmund is a tough place to go, and like any away game, it is imperative that Arsenal field a starting line-up full of players who can turn into eleven defenders when they lose the ball.That is why Oxlade-Chamberlain is drafted in ahead of Cazorla because on an occasion like Tuesday where Arsenal’s resolve will be tested, everyone who knows how to track back at Arsenal FC needs to be on that pitch. In addition to that, the Ox along with Sanchez, will give the opposition that pace, energy and trickery on the flanks that every defender hates to face.
With Yaya Sanogo injured while Podolski and Campbell continue to retain their roles as peripheral figures, the choice upfront can only be one guy. That guy Welbeck.
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With Santi being rested over the weekend, it is inevitable that he will be in the starting line-up in this game. I suspect that Alexis will play the lone striker role as we focus on playing counter-attacking football against BVB (same as last year).
I, for one, would like to see Rosicky get some game-time. I’m a firm believer that he is actually our most important midfielder (bar Aaron, of course) because he plays at a completely different pace than our other MFs.
Decent point on Rosicky because I did consider him as one of the midfielders at the club who can track back and therefore should be considered for this line-up. He would be facing his former club too.
the line up is ok, szczeny shuld be serious nt to conceive dos cheap goals
I can’t see Rosicky getting a game here. Injuries at the back and up top will get some periferal players some time, perhaps; but ithe middle of the park, there are options a-plenty and Rosicky is out of favor.
I disagree completely with the analysis of Ozil’s performances both this season and last. He is not a player like Wilshire or Ramsey who’s effort is obvious and who throw themselves around the pitch like demolition derby cars. Ozil is a finesse player who moves gracefully and seemingly without effort; leading many to (erroneously) conclude he isn’t trying.
Ozil is playing out of position like Cazorla was last season and it is showing in his form, just as it showed in Cazorla’s form. It’s all well can good to say someone should be able to do this or that, but in truth, most players are good in one position and adequate to awful anywhere else. Ozil plays on the wing for Germany and was adequate in that role, but no more.
Rooney is great in the middle and average to awful on the wing. Sturridge was a mediocre winger but has shown himself a potent center forward. Ozil is recognized as one of if not the best #10 in the world but he is not at the same level elsewhere.
Arsene Wenger has a good record of moving players around and getting something new and improved from them, but those successes have come, for the most part, with younger players who have not been recognized as stars. Ozil is a finished product. He’s a #10, and it seems silly to play him out of position in order to prove a point.
Personally, I do not want to see Sanchez up top. He shows great industry out wide and tracks back to good effect. Arsenal should give Campbell a run out at center forward, or Podolski, rather than Sanchez. I would like to see Arsenal come out on the front foot and try to win against Dortmund, with;
Szczesny
Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Ramsey, Arteta
Sanchez, Cazorla, Podolski
Campbell
In all sincerity Ozil is fast becoming a liability. As painful a it sounds it is true that Arsenal are literally playing with ten men we we loose the ball.
Why don’t we at least try playing Ozil in his favoured no 10 position, hey it might even work!. Sanchez on the right Cazorla on left and definately Welbeck up front. Would love to see Bellerin at right back as he has pace to burn (faster than Walcot) and is the future. Chambers only 50/50 so put him on the bench and save him as a sub. At some point this season would love to see Chambers given a shot at DM. Wilshire definately in midfield. Probably Arteta and Ramsay as DM’s
up gunaz
Arsenal is a team of Midfielders. We can filed a team will of Midfielders. How about 0-9-1 formation?