There was a feeling that Arsenal might have enough for an outside push for the title this season, but their start to the season has shown it might not be possible.
They’ve won the games you expect them to win while losing against Liverpool and Man City, so tonight’s game against Leicester should be a decent test for them.
Brendan Rodger’s men threw away a Champions League place last season, but both teams will be hopeful of securing a top four finish and this will show them where they are just now.
They are both coming off a Europa League game from Thursday, but Arsenal’s starting XI looks pretty close to full strength:
? TIME FOR TEAM NEWS ?
?? @ThomasPartey22 makes first home start
?? @DaniCeballos46 returns from injury
?? @Aubameyang7 back in the starting XI#ARSLEI— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 25, 2020
The biggest call comes with Nicolas Pepe only starting on the bench, which will come as a blow to him after making some impressive contributions in recent games.
At this point in his career you would expect Arsenal’s record signing would be the first name on the team sheet, but this suggests that he’s little more than a rotation option in the side.
Bukayo Saka is a very promising player so it’s not a controversial decision as such, but there’s been a lot of talk on Twitter about it:
Well, Saka is playing better than both Pepe and Willian now, so not that surprising
— Raf ?? (@goonerforever_) October 25, 2020
Tbf Pepe must do something wrong because all managers have had him on the bench a lot
— mackenzie (@KillerKun172) October 25, 2020
Great line-up bar no Pepe. Only problem other than that is Reiss not on the bench?
— Ralph?? (@ralphbagged) October 25, 2020
Top lineup apart from Pepe should be in https://t.co/wheZamUhqN
— S1 AFC (@Arsenal_S1) October 25, 2020
Arsenal fans are crying their hearts out, why pepe is on bench #freepepe
— OC Ma?? (@CollinesOcheng) October 25, 2020
If Saka has a stinker on the right people would be more understanding of why Pepe is not living up to expectation.
Our team legit plays on the left hand side?
— ? (@PepeneIIi) October 25, 2020
He’s played a couple of games as an inverted winger and he’s been good, like against Liverpool, i agree that midfield looks better on paper but if we move Saka center mid than mean Arteta has to play Pepe and he clearly doesn’t trust him
— Artistry Of Arteta (@OdegaardEsque) October 25, 2020
Arteta can only succeed at arsenal if he can learn to be flexible with his system. 4-4-2 is the best system to employ right now, such that pepe, lacazate ,auba ,and willian all start. Parte and dani in the middle. Since he likes risking, we would love to see gabriel partner with one of the new centre backs but not david luis. Stop fearing opponents, go all out and attack and you wil get results. I think arsenal has a decent squard to challenge for the trophy if arteta thinks in the right direction