I saw a video yesterday of Rice and Odegaard having a long conversation after the England v Norway game on Saturday evening. Seeing those two locked in a chat was interesting, and had me thinking what they might be talking about. Maybe Martin was asking Declan how sick he was? Maybe they were talking about the humidity? Maybe they were speculating on who would actually end up winning the damn thing.
Or maybe, they were talking about where they’re going on their holidays. For Martin, that is obviously a priority closer to now than Declan, as the Norwegian team will probably be on their way home today I’d imagine. For Declan, that won’t happen until at least coming up to the weekend, which also made me wonder about the Community Shield and the first Premier League game of the season at home to Coventry.
Who could we realistically see, based on their participation at the World Cup?
In my mind, depending on the player, you have to give them at least two weeks’ holiday. Then, they’ll need at least two weeks of pre-season training. For some players, I suspect an extended holiday is needed, then perhaps an easing back into action. Somebody like Declan Rice, for example, needs to be getting a minimum of three weeks on a beach. With that in mind, I thought I’d spend today mapping out a team for the first Premier League game. I could do the Community Shield, but let’s be honest, it’s just a glorified friendly, so I thought I’d focus on the more important stuff.
So, who could realistically start for us on that first game on 21st August? Here’s me doing what me mammy always said re: showing my workings (A-Level maths teacher). And, because I’m a traditionalist, I’ve gone one to 11, thinking of traditional numbers for each player. For example, the full backs are 2 and 3, the wingers are seven and 11, we have a four and five at centre-back, a six at the base, an eight and 10 in the middle and a nine up front.
David Raya – Fairly easy one to kick us off. He’s basically been given a first-class seat for Spain’s games on the bench in this World Cup. Quite how he isn’t the number one is bizarre, because he’s clearly lightyears ahead of Unai Simon, but hey, he’s got less chance of being injured and that’s an easy one to start me off today.
Ben White – Ben is training already, he’s looking ripped, he’ll have had a full pre-season in him, plus he has a new friend to make him extra happy in Illan Meslier. We thought we’d lost him at the end of last season, but I can see him having a very important early impact for you. And that couldn’t make me happier.
Riccardo Calafiori – I had to have a think about this one, because originally I thought that he might play as the left-centre back, with Hincapie at full back. But I saw Hincapie limping once or twice during the World Cup, so I’m going to play it safe by having Ricy in there, having had the summer off to party and hopefully a pre season which see’s him take out his non-World Cup summer on Coventry City when he crops up in between the left winger and centre forward to smash the ball home for the opener and our first goal of the season – just like he did last season.
Gabriel – yes, he’s been at the World Cup, yes, he’s played a load of games, but my thinking here is that continuity at the back is key. With the suspicions about Big Bill Saliba remaining (which is a hint as to my next pick), I think you have to tell big Gabi to get himself out there for the season opener. Brazil were knocked out to Norway on Sunday, 5th July. Big Gabi was probably back in England by 8th July, then off on holiday this past weekend. Give him two weeks from then, you’re talking about getting him back on 25th July. That gives him a solid month to get his head back into the Arsenal game, which feels like ample time to me.
Christian Mosquera – He’s not gone to the World Cup, he’s Big Bill’s understudy, he had a great breakthrough first season, this feels like a bit of a no-brainer to me.
Martin Zubimendi – a little like Raya, he’s been a virtual spectator this World Cup. Yes, he’ll have had to train, so he’ll need to be given a bit of a holiday, but given he lost his place towards the end of last season, I think he’ll be chomping at the bit. I think we also need to all remember what a revelation he was for us in the first half of the season. Why couldn’t he be that again?
Noni Madueke – he’s actually played more football than I thought he would this World Cup, but his injury problems aren’t the same and, regardless, I think he’ll now find himself as a cameo appearance guy for the semi final and final if England get there.
Martin Odegaard – was getting back to his old self for Norway, is the reason I’ve written this piece today, because I think he’ll get enough time off and will be ready for the big kick off. Get the skipper back in the side and let’s see if he can continue the form from the World Cup, but in Arsenal colours instead.
Kai Havertz – Went home even earlier than the Brazilians. Even if he was given a month off, he’d still be back by the beginning of August, which gives him three week’s to get ready for the new season. Came back towards the end of last season haing had an injury-hit one, so I think he’ll be absolutely desperate to get back on the pitch for The Arsenal. Plus, he’s our best centre forward.
Eberechi Eze – come on, let’s see the Odegaard and Eze combination for the Coventry game, can we? Ebs is another one that hasn’t racked up a ton of game time for England, so he’ll be ready and raring to go, plus I think against a newly promoted side that might employ a low block, this is the kind of player you want in your side.
Gabriel Martinelli – Trossard’s impending exit kind of makes this a default position, and given Gabby Martinelli didn’t start every minute, didn’t play a ton of minutes for Brazil, plus has the same situation as Big Gabi, it feels natural that he’ll be the one to be given the nod. Of course, depending on when they get the Tzolis deal done, Arteta could go for the new guy, but as of right now, it feels a little silly to put in a player who hasn’t actually signed. Even if we do have him, however, I’m guessing Arteta eases him in, rather than chucks him in.
So that’s my starting XI, as well as justification on why they start. But here’s the good thing; that’s a good side. It’s a side which I’d be excited about. And barring no injuries to any of those players, it’s a side that I think can see us through the first few games. I didn’t even put MLS in there. For sure, he could be given the nod over Zubi, but just for now, I’m trying to remove recency bias and remember what a difference the Spaniard made for us when he first joined. But regardless, I haven’t talked about Gyokeres, we still don’t know about Timber, we have Max Dowman who is a year older, plus there’s even Gabby Jesus who hasn’t left the club yet. For a team with which we’re all worried about the players not being in the right shape to return, I’m pretty happy with that squad kicking us off the new season – even before we’ve signed anyone.
But what do you think? Let me know in the comments.