Tension is building over the match against Man City on Sunday but it’s probably best to save the match preview for the morrow where I have more time to craft something brilliant-ish. For now, you get this discussion on which players have earned the right to start.
Arsene Wenger has stated that Jack Wilshere is just 10 days away from an appearance in a reserves fixture, which is quite the surprise. If I were a betting man, I would put money on Wilshere’s first first team appearance coming as a sub on October 20th, away to Norwich.
In the mean time let’s all exercise a little patience. He’s been out 14 months and the last thing that anyone wants to see is another injury. Wenger has plenty of options at the moment so no need to rush the youngster back. But I do wonder who Jack gets to displace when he is healthy — a debate I would like to save until late October when he’s getting ready to start playing again.
Toss a bouquet garni in there and you’ve got Man Soup
Szczesny, on the other hand, is out with an ankle injury for 2-3 weeks. Combined with Fabianski’s injury that leaves Arsenal with just Mannone and James Shea as keepers for the matches against Man City, Coventry (in the COC), and Chelsea. To say that this is a huge test for Mannone is an understatement: this three game bundle is the make-or-break moment for him. I know that I said players shouldn’t take starting spots away from other players through short-term injury but three good games against billionaire teams would make it very difficult to drop Mannone. Three mediocre games is a different story and even one clanger of a game will solidify him as backup keeper. But three good games and I have to think he is undroppable for a while.
I know that Szczesny is very popular among the Arsenal support but popularity doesn’t win football games — talent and hard work do. If popularity mattered at all, the starting XI would include Henri Lansbury. Hell, even if just plain old hard work mattered Lansbury would get a spot but it’s not enough these days. You have to be hugely talented, insanely dedicated, and if you’re a massive fan of the team you play for, then that’s a bonus.
Speaking of players who have talent, put in hard work, and who love Arsenal, I wonder if Jenkinson has done enough to relegate Bacary Sagna to a backup role? If I’m consistent then I would have to answer that it depends on how he does in the next three games. He has been outstanding so far this season both defensively and offensively. He still seems to be caught out of position sometimes but so far he’s been able to make up for that with his tackling — which is superb. He also has a great cross and has already notched an assist this season. If he shows up on Sunday against Man City and again against Chelsea, how do you drop him?
I’m curious what you all think, does Sagna’s age and experience mean that he’s an automatic starter? Can Jenkinson ever play his way into a starting spot? If so, when?
Finally, Jenkinson’s play may also be contributing to Theo Walcott’s lack of time so far this season. It’s not secret that Jenks and Theo are like fire and oil or water and ice. It’s also no secret that Theo (statistically) has his best games when he’s backed up by Sagna. Theo seems to depend on Sagna to get him the ball in dangerous positions. So much depends upon Bacary Sagna: Theo’s game, Szczesny’s distribution…
It’s going to be a beautiful headache for Arsene when Sagna is healthy.
Right, that’s it for today. Tomorrow.
Interesting piece. You do know Lansbury has left though?
Yes. Hopefully I didn’t give the impression that he’s still with the club. I was going to say “…instead of kicking around at Forest” but I felt that might come across as harsh on him. He’s kind of a cult hero among Arsenal supporters.
Heh. Fair enough.
Competition for places is always good . If Mannone puts together a string of solid performances than he should be the starter. Goalkeepers, just like other players go through dips of form and injuries , and the worst thing a meneger can do is to play a keeper who is not 100% because the level of back-ups isn’t adequate . If Szczesny’s mistakes are the result of him playing hurt , then it’s Wenger’s foult but if he is fit and still gaffe prone , he should be benched and Mannone should start.
I am seriously considering getting a Jenkinson jersey. I had decided never to get a player jersey again but after watching his interviews on Arsenal TV, I have to reconsider my position. This kid is what we wish every Arsenal player was like. Hard working, humble and blindly dedicated to the Arsenal. Do you remember how many people flogged Arsene when Liverpool bought Henderson, Utd bought Phil Jones and we bought Jenkinson? Now just over a year later we are talking about him removing Sagna as the no. 1 choice for RB. The same Sagna who is arguably the best RB in Europe. You are right. If he puts in great performances vs. City and Chelsea, you would have to think twice about whether Sagna becomes an automatic starter.
As for Don Vito, if he keeps two clean sheets vs. City and Chelsea and puts in superb performances, it’s not even debatable for me. Sagna is far more established than Szczney so if Sagna’s position is under threat then Szczney’s even more so. Szczney will need to go back to the drawing board, work on his distribution and wait for his chance again.
Jack has a bit more chance than breaking straight into the first team because his position is a bit more versatile. He can either be rotated with Diaby or maybe Arsene will play him in the true no.10 spot and move Cazorla on the right. This means that Ox won’t be starting every game – and that’s the way it should be because we don’t want what happened to Jack to happen to Ox as well.
The main point is that you don’t mess with a winning formula. At the end of the day, the true qualities will shine through anyway and there will be enough games for everyone to show their worth. This isn’t a problem for us, but a blessing.
Playing Wilshere at this time in the “Carzola” position does not seem to make much sense since he never mastered that position prior to his injury.
For all the glory we heap on Wilshire we must remember he is a 19 year old coming off a 14 month layoff and was not even the finished product when last he played. His stats will bear out he had very little end product in terms of goals and assists. At this point, Ramsey, Rosicky and even Diaby would seem to be more suited for the role.
JW alongside Arteta and Carzola would seem to be a more natural fit until he master’s his game. Love the kid and think he will be a great one, but let us not not be unrealistic in expectations at this time. Just remember Ramsey last year when he was thrown into the cauldron and couldn’t keep his fire burning.
I don’t think I suggested that he come and replace Cazorla, but my point is Jack will be an option in that role this season as he will be for the “Diaby” role. Therefore as a player he is more versatile. Wenger may even put him on the wings. He’s never had any problems putting CMs out on the wings before. The reason Jack doesn’t have that many goals and assists is because he played a deeper role while Cesc was here so that he could watch Cesc and learn from him. Plus he is still developing, as you said, and is not yet the finished product. But I think, long term, Arsene sees him as our creative hub which is why he was given the no.10 shirt and I’ll be surprised if we don’t see him in that role for some games here and there. In any case, there isn’t going to be any pressure on him to perform. No body realistically expects him to pick up where he left off but my guess is he will.
Certainly Carzola can play on the wing, but for now, playing him anywhere else but the AM role is very speculative as no one else in the squad provides that type of dynamism in that spot. All three of the OX, JW and Diaby could play there reasonably well but none with the effect of the Iberian at this time.
For now, yes. But we don’t want to become a team that is solely reliant on the creativity of Santi, as amazing as he is. Which is why I don’t think it’s a bad idea to switch things around in some games. If we have a have 2 goal cushion against WBA at home with 15 mins left, why not give Jack some time to play CAM and give him some experience there? Certainly will be better for the team from a depth point of view.
Call me dumb but that’s also Arshavin’s best position.
Btw Tim, Ox TV is hilarious! I hope you got a chance to see it on Arsenal 360
you forgot about koscielny
I sure did. He’s not even getting a sniff at this back four right now.
We talk about player loyalty to the Club and I think most would agree that it’s both a valuable and (these days) a rare commodity. Should Sagna automatically be first choice when fit? I think the answer is “yes”, because a) he’s bloody good, b) he’s given fantastic service to Arsenal for a lot of years, c) loyalty goes two ways. Jenkinson will hopefully have a long and distinguished Arsenal career, but he doesn’t have seniority and unless someone wants to argue that he’s just a better player, I don’t see how he gets the automatic nod. What’s wrong with using him sparingly (as we always like to do with younger players) when Sagna returns to fitness, and make his transition to starter a gradual one. Then when Sagna gets sold on (as we always like to do with older players) he can seamlessly slot in…
You have to feel bad for Koscielny. How about bringing him in next to Mertesacker and move Vermaelen up to defensive mid when we need to raise our intimidation factor…?
I agree that in some games either Vermaelen or Kos could play DM. They both have shown good distribution from the back and both have broken forward to good effect at times. TV has a better scoring record, but I think Kos is more ” disciplined “.
I find it curious that after a couple of years in which everyone complained about how Song didn’t hold his position properly as a DM, we are talking about playing Vermaelen there.
I mean, it could work, but Verm would have to undergo a change of mentality as well as learn a new position. I don’t think he’s technical enough to play that position at Arsenal, and don’t forget we have up and comers like Frimpong and Coquelin who have been playing that position for years.
I am not suggesting either needs to be deployed as a DM with any regularity and we do have The Coq to cover as well. But in some games ( ie the C one Cup) either could play as a DM to get in some game time. Or come on as a sub in games we are protecting a lead and have an extra defensive mid.
Why not just have Vermaelen on the bench? The season is long and we’ll need him fit. Wenger could just tell him that he needs a rest period.
Notice how NOBODY is talking about resting the BFG. I think it’s bloody obvious now how good is positioning is and how it makes up for his lack of speed. At some point he’s gonna need a rest too and then we really test the Vermaelen Koscielny partnership.
This is a good discussion. Being a Gooner and by definition ever the pessimist, I could say that Wilshere doesn’t have to displace anybody, the inevitable INJURIES will take care of rotational issues by themselves. I’m knocking my (wooden) desk as I write.
Really though, who cares. It’ll sort itself out as Wenger (and Bould?) will it. I’m just glad our boy will finally be back before the New Year.
It’s sad to say it with their rich history and all, but Liverpool suck. We definitely do not suck. In fact we so much do not suck that there’s more positive vibe about our realistic chances this year with only a handful of games played. This Sunday will really tell us more. Can’t wait…
For me, the turning point of last season was a certain header scored by Bacary Sagna with such intention, such unstoppable force, and an air of ‘c’mon idiots, that’s all we have to do’. So to start comparing Jenkinson, great as the kid is, to the seasoned professionalism of Sagna, is, sorry, out of line. I like Jenkinson. He’s going to be terrific, but for me, right now, I’d slot Sagna back in without a thought.
Second that!
third