Welcome to Arsenal Commentary Box.
Today, Arsenal face off against the recently promoted championship side Sheffield United. All eyes will be on Mesut Ozil who hasn't been called up for the match day squad for the last three games. Unai Emery's answers to dropping Mesut Ozil has not been met well with the fans. The statement from Unai Emery is as follows: "There are players training hard in the practice session and you have got to give them the chance if the big name in the squad is performing below the expectations". This statement, though emery did not mention the names, arsenal fans believe the big name to be Ozil. Most of the fans also agree to it based on the positive results arsenal football club has experienced in the recent matches. However, there is some creativity missing in the tactical play of the Arsenal club and this is undoubtedly due to the absence of Mesut Ozil. Dani Cabellos, on loan from Real Madrid has been playing in the position of Ozil. Though, his performances have been positive, the creativity Ozil provides could not be replicated. Unai recently mentioned that Ozil has been training very hard and could start the game against Sheffield United. Let's pray Ozil comes back stronger and becomes the match winner today.
Another player from the Arsenal football club is returning in tonight's game and fans can't wait to watch him back in action. Alexandre Lacazette. Lacazette suffered an ankle injury in September, 2019. He was last seen in the North London Derby which ended 2-2. His partnership with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was crucial to Arsenal in terms of scoring goals. The new front three: Lacazette, Aubameyang and the newly brought in Nicolos pepe were supposed to kill of the matches. However, Nicolas pepe could not replicate the form he was in during his Lille days and lacazette's untimely injury has halted the progress. Academy players like Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and the recently brought in Gabriel Martinelli have stepped up in the absense of Lacazette. So, Emery may have a head ache while choosing the team for the starting lineup. However, it is not best to rush Lazazette, because Premier League is a long season and there are going to be some challenging matches, where Lacazette may be the game changer against the "Big 6".
Defending has always been an issue for Arsenal since the "Wenger days" and this season, fans feel it has improved due to the addition of David Luiz brought in from rival club Chelsea, the returning 24 year old Rob Holding and Calum Chambers who has been scoring and assisting in recent matches. Fans are finally very happy to see Chambers flourish after six difficult years at the club. Special Mention, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are also in consideration for the match day squad. Bellerin, who was out for almost an year due to injury returned to action for the Under-23 side Arsenal club and showed what Arsenal first defence has been missing.
The club captain Granit Xhaka, has not been performing well and fans have been asking Emery to drop the player who they think is not suited to the style of play Emery wants Arsenal football club to adopt. However, against all odds, Emery has urged Xhaka to overcome the criticism and show what the man with the armband can provide to the team.
Emery has very clearly said that Arsenal focus, this season is to qualify for the champions league, which they have not played for the last two years and this is the third year in a row.
Probable Line Up today:
Starting Eleven: Bernd Leno, Calum Chambers, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, David Luiz, Sead Kolasinac, Mateo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka, Nicolas Pepe, Dani Cabellos, Bukayo Saka, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang,
Subs: Kieran Terney, Lucas Torreira, Ansley Maitland Niles, Mesut Ozil, Rob Holding, Martinelli, Emiliano Martinez.
My next post will be for the UEFA Eurpa League clash between Arsenal and the Portuguese side Guimaraes.
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