How Would Arsenal Line Up Without Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain And Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal could be in for a major restructuring before the next Premier League game. The Gunners haven’t had the best of the starts to their league campaign, losing their last two games against Stoke City and Liverpool, after a difficult 4-3 win against Leicester City on the opening night. Things don’t look good for them off the field either as three of their first-team regulars may be moving out of the club, before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, both of whom are in the final year of their contracts with the Gunners, are reported to be headed away from the Emirates, to Arsenal’s title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. According to latest reports, City are willing to offer Raheem Sterling as a makeweight to push through a deal for Sanchez, while Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £35million deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Another player who could be set to join them on the way out is defender Shkodran Mustafi. The German international, who joined the North Londoners last summer, is close to completing a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan.
If all the deals go through before the deadline day, here’s how the Arsenal line-up might look like without Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mustafi in them.
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Petr Cech (GK)
The Czech Republic national is slowly starting to show signs of ageing and hasn’t been very consistent in the recent past. Still a leader in the team that doesn’t have many of those, he will remain the No.1
Rob Holding (CB)
The youngster enjoyed a fine debut campaign last season, but is yet to reach the same heights this campaign. If Mustafi does end up leaving, he will become Wenger’s first-choice centre-back week in week out.
Laurent Koscielny (CB)
The Frenchman will have to step up and perform like a captain if Arsenal are to resurrect from their early faltering form this term.
Nacho Monreal (CB)
The Spaniard has made the left-sided centre-back position his own in Wenger’s three-man defence, but was opened up by the pace of the Liverpool forward line. His experience would mean that he’d continue here, but against teams with pace, Wenger would be better off rotating.
Hector Bellerin (RWB)
With Oxlade-Chamberlain all set to depart to Chelsea, Bellerin will return to his natural position on the right-hand side, having operated as a left-sided wing-back for the past two games.
Aaron Ramsey (CM)
Despite his inconsistencies, Ramsey remains Wenger’s best bet in the middle of the park and he needs to regain form if Arsenal are to bounce back strongly.
Granit Xhaka (CM)
The Swiss international has had a torrid start to the 2017/18 season after a good opening in the Community Shield. With Santi Cazorla still sidelined, Xhaka is likely to remain at the centre of the pitch for the Gunners.
Sead Kolasinac (LWB)
The summer arrival, signed for free from Schalke, hasn’t been utilised in his more natural position as of yet this season. With the Ox gone, he will be the first-choice at left wing-back.
Mesut Ozil (RAM)
The German playmaker is quality, no doubts. But he needs to start pulling his weight on a more consistent basis going ahead, especially with Sanchez’s imminent departure.
Alex Iwobi (LAM)
If Sanchez leaves, the academy man is the most likely to step up into the playing XI on the left-channel of the final third.
Alexandre Lacazette (ST)
The club-record signing has hit the ground running, scoring in his first Premier League game, against Leicester City. Should lead the line ahead of Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck.
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