Bukayo is back and ready to rock & roll. Ethan and Martinelli are chomping at the bit after a long interlull, Merino just keeps scoring for club and country, and Miles creates smiles everywhere. OOh to Be.
Martin bagged four assists in two games and Declan got two. OOh to Be a Gooner.
Form is everything at the business end of the season, and it looks like our boys are just peaking at the right time. We will still be missing our established CFs, Kai and Jesus, but the return of Super-Saka after a long period of absence is the tonic the boys needed.
We got used to playing with a double DM pivot of whom one can roam forward, but what if Arteta went wild and played Declan or Partey in front of the back four and allowed Miles or Jurrien to support them when appropriate? This would allow us to play Martin AND Ethan in front of an all moving and penetrating attacking trio:
——–Raya———–
Timb-Tequila-Gab-Miles
(Timb)-Declan-(Miles)
—Ethan—Martin—
Saka-Merino-Martinelli
Now, I would not start like this v Real Madrid, even though it would be something to behold, but, at some point in the game, it may be just what we need to surprise and overcome the Spanish giants. We certainly need to up the creative drive from the middle as Odegaard cannot do it on his own. Saka will help with this of course, and having back the triangle of Timb/White-Ode-Saka on our right will give Arsenal a huge uplift. Almost the same goes for playing Miles-Declan-Marti on the left. But that extra bit of creativity and push from attacking midfield may well be needed to really end the season on a high. Martin seems to need it, and I think Ethan Nwaneri is just too good to leave out. Together they will add a lot of thrust, unpredictability and chance-creation/goals to the team.
What do you think? Too attacking/ leaving us vulnerable through the middle/at the back? Or just what Arsenal need to add some drive and deadliness to our attack?
**By TotalArsenal (inspired by PB’s comments)**