Dissecting Emery's Arsenal

[Power n Glory]

He needs to use the (relatively) easier upcoming games to field two out of Holding , Mavropanos and Sokratis as CBs, with Torreira replacing Xhaka in front of them

I Am Invisible suggested three at the back to allow for Nacho and Bellerin going forward, which i think is a good shout at least for away games, so how about putting all three of the above in for Cardiff away, with just one up front?

I don't mind seeing Sokratis and Mustafi try to work on their partnership. That's an issue I think can be sorted through time and coaching.

But I can't see how a player like Xhaka can make it in this team. He can't play on the half turn, can't defend and is slow and rigid. That's a player profile issue and means whoever he gets partnered with has a lot of work to do just to cover Xhaka's flaws.

[Mac76]

I don't mind seeing Sokratis and Mustafi try to work on their partnership. That's an issue I think can be sorted through time and coaching.

But I can't see how a player like Xhaka can make it in this team. He can't play on the half turn, can't defend and is slow and rigid. That's a player profile issue and means whoever he gets partnered with has a lot of work to do just to cover Xhaka's flaws.

Mustafi got done for the W Ham goal and is as much to blame for anyone for the mess at the back, i'd much rather Holding or Mavropanos in there

I do wonder why we even bother having those players if someone like Mustafi can mess up every week and still get the nod - he's 26 now so if he can't defend i'd argue it's too late to coach him

I actually think Emery has more excuse for Xhaka, as his contract was renewed by Ivan et al in the summer so Emery probably feels he needs to at least give him a go before dropping him, but he's surely seen enough now...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Mustafi got done for the W Ham goal and is as much to blame for anyone for the mess at the back, i'd much rather Holding or Mavropanos in there

I do wonder why we even bother having those players if someone like Mustafi can mess up every week and still get the nod - he's 26 now so if he can't defend i'd argue it's too late to coach him

I actually think Emery has more excuse for Xhaka, as his contract was renewed by Ivan et al in the summer so Emery probably feels he needs to at least give him a go before dropping him, but he's surely seen enough now...

...but he didn't need to start the season with him and he hasn't started the season with Leno.