Emirates Cup stars fighting for places in Arsenal attack.
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With three exciting Arsenal youngsters impressing in their Emirates Cup thrashing of Benfica yesterday, CaughtOffside takes a look at how they could realistically compete for places in the Gunners’ starting lineup in the upcoming 2014/15 season.
Arsene Wenger has been under pressure to bring in new signings in attack, with links to some big names in this transfer window, but he may have found the answer to his problems upfront with some emerging talents showing that they can do the business.
French striker Yaya Sanogo stole the show with four goals, while Joel Campbell netted another, his first in an Arsenal shirt after spending the last three seasons out on loan at various clubs.
Calum Chambers also made his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium since his £16m move from Southampton, and although primarily a right-back, it could be that he will find success in a different role for Wenger’s side. See the following pages for a run-through on how Arsenal could fit these outstanding young players into their side this season.
Goalkeeper and defence:
Despite the signing of David Ospina from Nice, it is expected that Wojciech Szczesny will continue as Arsenal’s first choice in goal. Ahead of him, new signing Mathieu Debuchy arrives from Newcastle United and should replace Bacary Sagna as the team’s starting right-back.
However, Chambers also played in that position at Southampton and will be a capable backup for that role. Still, based on yesterday’s game he may also have a part to play as a centre-back, as he played in the middle against Benfica. With Per Mertesacker set to miss the start of the season after being given an extended break after winning the World Cup with Germany earlier this summer. An outstanding prospect, it could be that the 19-year-old will rival the experienced German international for his place in the side if he can impress in the Gunners’ early games this season.
Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs will likely remain first choice elsewhere in defence for Wenger’s side.
Midfield:
Despite links to bigger names in midfield, for now it looks like Arsenal’s first choice pairing will be the experienced Mikel Arteta alongside last season’s star Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman was in superb form again for the Gunners in their rout of Benfica, breaking forward with great ability and showing that he will be one of the team’s most important players again this season.
Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere will compete with these two for a place in the defensive midfield role, unless someone else will be brought in before the end of the transfer window.
Attack:
Arsenal could have plenty of new options in their attacking four this season, with Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell certainly staking their claim in the Benfica victory. With the Gunners being linked for much of the summer with improvements on Olivier Giroud upfront, it may be that these promising youngsters could provide that alternative for Arsene Wenger. Sanogo’s pace make him a different kind of threat upfront, and he will hopefully look a more confident player now after this superb four-goal display and find some consistency after an injury-hit first campaign at the Emirates Stadium.
Campbell can also play upfront, but will likely provide an option in one of the wide roles, with the left-hand side perhaps the most likely after the club brought in Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona to fill the role on the right flank. If these players can maintain this superb attacking performance, the likes of Giroud, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla may struggle to get back into the side.Youthful Arsenal XI for 2014/15 in full: