Arsenal

How Arsenal could line up by August

Arsenal_Logo__Emirates_Stadium_by_Bo3li

It’s all going off at Arsenal now. Or at least some of it is going off, with news that the much sought after Gonzalo Higuain has reportedly agreed terms on a mega-move to Arsenal.

With Marouane Fellaini another in a long line of supposed targets for Arsene Wenger this summer, the team could well look quite a bit different, come September.

Arsenal fans will certainly hope so, after six or seven years in which the team has promised so much, but failed to deliver when it gets to the business end of the season and the trophies are being handed out.

The defence looked more and more solid as last season progressed but the goalkeeping status quo is arguably still a problem for Wenger. If he’s available then Arsenal should pull out all the stops to sign Stoke’s Asmir Begovic. He’s a big beast of a player with great presence and solidity. He is safe as houses and is, without a shade of a doubt, a great long-term solution for The Gunners.

We definitely think that the Belgian midfielder Fellaini would also fit in at Arsenal, providing yet more steel and also allowing some of the more creative players in the team to get forward more freely.

The Ox needs to be given more game time next season. He showed in his recent performance for England that he has all of the qualities to become a top player if he is given enough time on the park. Walcott has just signed a big contract and would also be wanting to play every week, so what about a slightly different formation for next season, which is a nominal 4-5-1 without the ball and 4-4-2 with it? Arsenal obviously have to play Cazorla, so although Jovetic would be a nice signing, we would question whether he is crucial to a side which already has so much creativity. With The OX and Walcott playing either side of Higuain, Cazorla could do a great job in the hole and give Arsenal much more counter attacking edge with Walcott and The OX both playing.

This projected side has great pace and real width, but also genuine steel through the middle and a brilliant partnership up front, with Cazorla providing the ammo and Higuain firing the bullets.

Yes yes we know that we have left loads of good players out of the starting side. But that simply means that Arsenal will have a great squad next season, if all of these lads sign up. So have a look at our best-case scenario XI and then feel free to complain bitterly….

Begovic, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, Fellaini, Cazorla, Walcott, Higuain, The Ox

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65 Comments

65 Comments

  1. Danraka

    Jun 21, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    With this kind of players and formation, i have started seeing trophies flowing into Emirate Stadium

  2. charlie read

    Jun 21, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    i hope sagna is sold,play vermaelen as a defensive midfielder,and buy another world class playmaker as ramsay and wilshere are not reliable enough

  3. Cazicky

    Jun 21, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    New CB, and thats a good lineup!

  4. James victor Monaghan

    Jun 21, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    sagna needs to go cos he was really awful last term. dani alves would be mint. or give jenkers a chance he will come good. arsenal til i die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • RobM

      Jun 22, 2013 at 8:21 am

      If you were really “Arsenal til” (you… er… u) “die!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!one!one!!1” then you’d know that Tony Adams had a rough season or two, and luckily the club stood by him. Henry had a rough season when he first arrived and Arsenal stood by him and Ray Parlour had a few rough seasons while learning his trade and Arsenal stood by him too.

      Arsenal has nearly always been respectful to its players, and luckily has managers that, unlike you, understand that form is temporary but class is permanent.

      • Dylan

        Jun 22, 2013 at 12:36 pm

        Sagna has been playing poorly for a while now and when you have a player like Jenkinson- touted as the new 1st choice England RB at the beginning of the season before his injury that allowed Sagna back in the team, then you really have to take a step back and decide what’s better for Arsenals future and the answer is releasing or selling Sagna or telling him he’s no longer 1st choice(which he wont accept) and releasing the future Arsenal and England 1st choice Jenkinson.

        P.s Its really hard to take a guy seriously when they’re into “my little pony”. Just saying.

        • RobM

          Jun 22, 2013 at 7:44 pm

          I’ve got plenty of love for Jenkinson, I’ve got every confidence that he’ll be the first choice for Arsenal and England in the future, but I still feel good about keeping Sagna for a year or maybe even two to ease the transition.

          Your idea of releasing Sagna would mean that we’d need a replacement – who might also be unhappy with sitting on the bench, but yes it’s a problem.

          And don’t worry about the avatar – I have a problem taking people seriously when they judge people based on their avatar picture, so now we’ve established that neither one of us takes the other seriously it doesn’t matter any more does it?

  5. Mas'udu Faskari

    Jun 21, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    The arsenal starting IX in my opinion is supporse to be like this if roumours are to be genuine:-
    Cesar
    Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
    Wallcott Fellaini Carzola Podolski
    Higuain Rooney
    Substitute:-
    1.Sceszeny
    2.Williams
    3.Wilshere
    4.Chamberlain
    5.Arteta
    6.Monereal
    7.Giroud

    • G'Lyon

      Jun 21, 2013 at 10:01 pm

      Why did u put Wilshere on d bench and where’s my lovely Rosicky.

    • Jamiu

      Jun 22, 2013 at 6:51 am

      I love dat it seems dat arsenal are still sugeting not d real post

    • smollet

      Jun 22, 2013 at 4:48 pm

      where is rambo and u shud replace sagna with williams or pisczek

    • Siggi

      Jun 22, 2013 at 6:34 pm

      They usually start with XI players as you rightfully count out.

  6. Me

    Jun 21, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    Still think that Higuain is holding out for a better move than to Arsenal – if he really wanted to go to the Emirates he would have signed by now. Wait for City or United to come in for him and Arsenal will be like the groom jilted at the altar. Everyone knows that Arsenal will never challenge for trophies again so why would players like Higuain go there ?

    • Muzz

      Jun 21, 2013 at 8:43 pm

      You clearly don’t follow football to know that higuain has signed for or agreed personal terms with arsenal in the interview with a Spanish radio station he himself confirmed it, also not challenging for trophies?? The team has been rebuilt and now have the money to spend big over the next few seasons, you’re obviously a yid so jog on and wait to see what the season brings

      • uchejp

        Jun 22, 2013 at 1:00 pm

        BIg dreamer stop confuzsing Ųя self biko

    • Gun

      Jun 21, 2013 at 9:31 pm

      Mumu,what’s ur concern,face ur club,else try hug transformer

    • Cazicky

      Jun 21, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Why hasnt Higuain signed yet? well thats because Real are without a manager right now and cant sell yet. They can agree personal terms but they cant sell yet. Once ancelotti gets appointed, then Higuain is sure to move to arsenal 😉

    • cvklbc

      Jun 21, 2013 at 9:46 pm

      shh ur mouth

    • Karl

      Jun 22, 2013 at 5:36 am

      He has agreed terms with arsenal he is not holding out ,its the club holding out they want a bidding war for him to get more money, as well as the fact they have no manager atm so arsenal can’t push a deal through yet.

    • tope

      Jun 22, 2013 at 8:23 am

      shut up

    • gary

      Jun 22, 2013 at 10:55 am

      your in the wrong forum me ,go back to spurs forum take your green eyed monster with you

    • kk

      Jun 22, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      It will not be well with you wherever you are.

    • Umosen

      Jun 22, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      U r stil leaving in d past,wit all dis xpectd players 2 com into d club, what’s make u think arsenal wil nt challenge 4 trophies

  7. Rafeek

    Jun 21, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    small changes
    cesar
    koslny vermln

    sanga mnrel
    wlsre fellni

    cazorla
    wallcot podlski
    higuain/roony
    dfntly v WIN trophies up cming yrs sure

  8. Dedie

    Jun 21, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    1. Julio Cesar
    2. Sagna
    3. Nacho
    4. Kos
    5. Williams
    6. Fellaini
    7. Ox
    8. Wilshere
    9. Higuain
    10. Carzola
    11. Nani

  9. RealG

    Jun 21, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    My teams would be –

    1st
    JULIO CESAR, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta (C), MAROUANE FELLAINI, Wilshere (VC), Walcott, GONZALO HIGUAIN, Cazorla

    2nd
    Szczęsny, Jenkinson, ASHLEY WILLIAMS, Vermaelen, Monreal, Ramsey, Diaby, Rosicky, The Ox, Giroud, Podolski

    Back Up
    Fabianski/Mannone, Miquel, Frimpong, Coquelin, Miyaichi, Gervinho, YAYA SANOGO

    = AWSEOME SQUAD!!

    • mee

      Jun 22, 2013 at 7:49 am

      I totally agree wit u, but wil trade Gervinho for Remy

    • Skippo

      Jun 22, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Nice one,i supported by approvin CESAR,SAGNA,GIBBS,MERTSK,KOSC,ARTETA,WILSHERE,FELLANI,WALCOT,CARZOLA,HIGUAIN as my own invicible squad

    • highbury beast

      Jun 22, 2013 at 8:37 am

      REALG your 1st and 2nd teams are great that is what a squad should look .the subs should make the difference

    • Omokehinde

      Jun 22, 2013 at 12:37 pm

      I love ur information, u deserve 2 be a coach. KEEP it up

  10. Rick

    Jun 21, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Podolski should be in that starting line up

  11. Adeagbo aliru

    Jun 21, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    My start xi is begovic sagna per kossliny gibbs carzola fellani arteta jack jelavic higuan 4.4.2 formation sub ramsey rio monreal gervio c0ncuelin vermaleen

  12. Ayinde ykay

    Jun 21, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    Cesar gibbs matersarker kosc jekinson wilshere fellaini casorla walcot higuain ox

  13. jjsam

    Jun 21, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Both Clichy and Gibbs took the mantle respectively with doubt but later advanced but why not with JK25?
    We all saw him improved by match given last season but why are u fellow gooners not being fair with this lad in your choice of RB.
    Ramsey and Sagna wrought doom on our dear team last 2 seasons respectively yet, you still give them chance.
    Add up JK25 to d selection.

    • gary

      Jun 22, 2013 at 10:58 am

      your being very harsh on ramsey ,he is still only 21 and wenger put more faith in him Wilshire when push came to shove at the back end of last season

  14. yusuf a zarewa

    Jun 21, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    cesar. sag mastsk kcly gbs felyn arteta walcot wilshi cazola gonzalo h

  15. Yusuf I Abbas

    Jun 21, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    Wenger shld sign world class plrs lyk higuin,Rooney,Nani,Fallaini, nd Williams up gunnerz till ma lst breath!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  16. may7heaven

    Jun 21, 2013 at 11:08 pm

    I can only think that those who want Julio Cesar, haven’t seen him play that much. There are far better options available, including as you say, Begovic.

  17. Joe Henry

    Jun 21, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    I think too many people have been playing FIFA, yeah it’s one thing having a good starting 11 but man united never won the league cause their starting 11 was brilliant, it’s because when they made a sub, the player coming on was equally as good as the player coming off! We don’t just need a good starting 11, we need a magnificent starting 18-25. Players need to be rested and when they do they need an equally good player in their place, not someone like Bendtner replacing Podolski… Think about it

  18. Fhh

    Jun 21, 2013 at 11:52 pm

    Dream XI starting line up formation: 4-4-2 like the invincibles

    Rooney Higuain
    Cazorla Walcott
    Wilshere Fellaini
    Gibbs Ogbonna Koscienly Richards
    Patricio

    Now i know this team is to good to be true but this is a true dream team. Champions league trophy here we come. This could be the invincibles. Higuain taking the henry role as rooney take bergkamp role. Cazorla takes on pires role wilshere gets his gilberto role but more wilshere stylish fellaini the new viera and walcott ljungberg. Gibbs the new ashley cole, koscienly the new campbell but more bosscienly. Same with ogbonna the bew toure, richards being like the new lauren and patricio trying his best to be like lehmann. Sell players like chamakh, bendtner, diaby, park chu young, santos, squalici, djoroue, sagna, giroud, gervinho, arteta and maybe rocisky? I know the last 5 names was hard but we have to give the youngsters a chance to play and get better. Play chamberlain alot more this season. Buy croatian kid and maybe grenier if rocisky leaves. Give coquelin a chance. Sanago has to play. Play podolski, monreal, mertesaker, jenkinson and szezcny to so they can get playing time. And we can beat any team in the world! Substitute: szezcny, mertesaker, jenkinson/monreal, grenier/rocisky, coquelin, ramsay, ox, podolski and sanago. Croatian kid can be 4th choice or outloaned and miquel the same. Put in youngsters from the academy in games that the best players doesnt have to play!

  19. emeksfab

    Jun 22, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Our line up should look like this..
    Ceser,sagna,mertasacker,
    koscielny,gibbs.felliani,arterta,carzola,walcott,rooney,higuin…
    Sub…wilshere,podolski,rosicky,vemalen,sczexny,giroud

  20. shankaran

    Jun 22, 2013 at 1:07 am

    werwewerwerwerwer

    • shankaran

      Jun 22, 2013 at 1:11 am

      ………………………………………………..cesar…………………………………………………

      sagna……………………….kslny……………………..wiliams………………………gibbs…..

      ……………………….arteta…………………………………….fellani…………………………….

      walcott……………………………………..wilshare……………………………………cazorla…

      …………………………………………….g.higuain………………………………………………..

      • gary

        Jun 22, 2013 at 11:01 am

        best team I seen listed here yet,maybe a stronger defensive midfielder than arteta to allow those front four more freedom

  21. Talkingoutofmyarsenal

    Jun 22, 2013 at 2:33 am

    1st.

    Begovic
    Williams Kos Mert Gibbs
    Walcott Fellaini Wilshire Ox
    Santi
    Higuan
    2nd.
    Shez
    Sagna Jenks Verm Nacho
    Ryo Rosicky Arteta Gervinho
    Giroud Podolski

  22. Lawrence Alvin

    Jun 22, 2013 at 3:28 am

    Me wish only four signing to be done cesar williams fellaini and higuanrooney …Then my first eleven wil be wojiech, carl,koscienly vermaleen,gibbs,fellaini,arteta,wilshere,walcot cazorla and higuan

  23. Anaekwe Patrick

    Jun 22, 2013 at 4:43 am

    No doubt Arsenal will constitute an intimidating presence with any of the line ups. Man U, Man C and Chelsea get ready, the Invicibles are coming.

  24. AKOKAT

    Jun 22, 2013 at 4:43 am

    I cnt c wenger buying a Gk or selin sagna we’ll if higuain sings den rooney wnt so is gona b like dis
    Scsczeny
    Sagna materseker koscielny monreal
    Walcout ateta/cazolar rosiky/wilsheer podolsky
    Geroud higuain
    No major chages my friends dis is wenger 4 u

  25. Ismael Idd

    Jun 22, 2013 at 4:49 am

    I think arteta shld play alongside felaini with wilshire in front jst behind Heguain then walcot n Cazalo cam in as right and left winger consacativly. This is the team, sezny, jekinson, cosienly, Metersaka, felaini, arteta, wilshire, carzola, walcot, heguain.

  26. Goonerholic

    Jun 22, 2013 at 5:14 am

    This isnt going to be the line up.
    It will be 1)Sczezsny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, WAynama, Wilshere, Cazorla Podolski Higauin and Walcott

  27. joel

    Jun 22, 2013 at 6:34 am

    I tin d line up shoul be
    begovic
    sagna metersacker koscienly gibbs
    walcott wishere fellani carzola
    higuain rooney
    subs
    sceszney
    giroud
    ox
    ramsey
    podolski
    monreal

  28. Michael m

    Jun 22, 2013 at 6:35 am

    I thnk cptn vermalean and sagna stays.thn brng higuain,fellain,nani,williams &ceaser. Team. Ceaser sagna koshel metersk gibbs fellain arteta rosicky cazola walcot giroud. Bench schez,jenk,verma,nacho,ramsey,wilshire,ox,podo,higuin

  29. Paul Oscar.

    Jun 22, 2013 at 6:35 am

    “HIGUAIN” iz mai nickname, I lov to watch him at d hom of d gunners….Lov AFC.

  30. Kinyash

    Jun 22, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Whichever lineup u cme up with jus remember that Arteta must in will be in the middle of the pack.

  31. Gabriel

    Jun 22, 2013 at 7:33 am

    Any way you at the team sheet selection is not a problem to Mr wenger whom is deemed prof. He has version to all players at his disposal. Hugain, falani maybe rooney is what the team need, he may add Williams for cover.

  32. moses watasa

    Jun 22, 2013 at 10:04 am

    Well guys, hypothetical but these would be fine looking line-ups – only you are dreaming. Dreaming because you have waited a kool 8 years for such star additions to the Arsenal squad – as the power men continue pilling-up mediocres – ironically, as they aution the club’s stars. I really admire your unwavering faith star players will join Arsenal while Kroenke, Gazidis, Wenga & Co are in charge! These leeches are not thru with sucking up the club’s coffers and are not about free-up anysignificant funds to sign the players you guys are dreaming about. A leopard doesn’t change its spots after 8 years! But fans could turn-up some heat and stay away, once so we have the leeches watching one match at the Emirates – on their own (without fans). Surely, the leeches have fooled fans long enough!!!

  33. Sibomaana paul

    Jun 22, 2013 at 10:32 am

    My xi: julio, permtsacker,koscelin,gibs,karljalkenson,fellain,carzola,rosick,walcot,higuian,gervinho. System of 4-3-3.

  34. arjunkm

    Jun 22, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    my preffered line up would be

    i personally feel,that whenever arsenal won ,rosicky was our fulcrum,his energy and pressing game is the reason why we bagged a hell lot of points in the previous two campaigns..i cannot mention a team without hm in the list.
    SO my team wolud line up like this:

    sceszney

    sagna mertesacker koscielny gibbs

    fellaini wilshere

    rosicky

    walcott higuain santi

  35. amo

    Jun 22, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    am not sure if Fellain is the type of player we real need.he is more of an attacking midfilder like the rest of the midfilders we have.iwill not be suprised if Wengers goes for someone else defensive.

  36. Ryan

    Jun 22, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Cesar
    Sagna verm kosc Gibbs
    Wilshere Fellini cazorla
    Rooney
    Higuain Walcott

  37. Callum

    Jun 22, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    This should be our team next season according to rumours and targets!
    1. Rui Patricio
    2. Sagna
    3.koscienly
    4.metersacker/rami
    5.gibbs/monreal
    6.fellani
    7.arteta/whiltshire
    8.carzola
    9.wallcott
    10.podolski
    11.higuain

    Subs
    1.oxlade-chamberlain
    2.arteta/whiltshire
    3.gibbs/monreal
    4.vermaelen
    5.giroud

  38. uchejp

    Jun 22, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    Sceszney. Jerkson…… VM…LK…….. Gibbs. OX……..COQ….RAMZ…..Gervinh
    ….. .Arshavi.. OG…….

  39. Callum

    Jun 22, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    And for any of you Arsenal fans hoping for Rooney to come I am utterly disappointed in you! You are clearly not a true gooner! We are no man united, happy to rival stars, we stand better for that! He’s inconsistent, clearly has no loyalty for his club and thinks far too highly of himself! Over priced, over paid, over rated! Yes he has moments of brilliance but very rarely these days! He as a player goes against everything arsenal have been fighting for! I know the transfer is not going to happen so please would all you arsenal fans that think it is just stop iterating me and give it a rest! Higuain is far better anyways, better record, cheaper and clearly loyal to his clubs! Btw on my previous comment I forgot to at Villa to the starting line up instead of podolski! Villa, Higuain and Wallcott up front would so punishing!!!!

  40. Paul Joba

    Jun 22, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    wel i tink its hightyme we muv 4 d rite playa in oda 2 mak a gud squad nst sesin. as 4 d playas we hve ben link wt i pray 4 it 2 cme 2ru. Gunners 4 Life

  41. Okeny j oscar

    Jun 22, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    It will be some thing so much surpprising 2 all de fun.

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