What actually is Arsenal's best team?

With a variety of options but very few players performing, what actually is Arsenal's best team?

Bernd Leno



By Oli Dickson Jefford

If there’s one certainty about Arsenal, it’s that nothing is certain.

Mikel Arteta’s future hangs in the balance after the side’s worst start in decades, several key players are out of form and fans are losing faith in the club.

With a key run of matches against Norwich, Burnley and arch rivals Tottenham coming up this month, the Gunners need a sharp turnaround in form. 

However, questions remain about who Arteta can rely on to perform.

With his job on the line and European football still a target, what is the club’s strongest XI?


Goalkeeper
The keeper situation provides the simplest choice of all: Bernd Leno or Aaron Ramsdale.

Leno arrived at the club in 2018 and quickly stamped his authority as the first-choice keeper at the club, and has started all three league games so far this season.

However, the 29-year-old has the tendency to be error prone despite generally consistent performances, and the arrival of Ramsdale this summer provides a test.

Ramsdale is evidently highly-rated by the club after his £30million move from Sheffield United, but it does seem that he has been brought in as back-up.

Leno’s greater experience probably makes him the safer choice to start as No.1 at this stage. 


Defence

Arsenal are not lacking in defenders, with ten different men to choose from.

Perhaps the standout name is Kieran Tierney, one of the club’s best players last season and someone who arguably has world-class potential.

Tierney should be utilised in his natural position as a left-back and is one of the first names on the team sheet when fit.



Summer signings Ben White and Takehiro Tomayasu should feature heavily this season, and though inexperienced the potential with both is great. 

With Tierney and Tomayasu at left and right-back respectively, the question remains as to who should partner White in the heart of defence.

Arguably the best option is Gabriel, who hasn’t featured this season but is highly-rated by most Arsenal fans and has shown promise in the past.


Midfield and Attack

When Arsenal are playing well, it is usually their midfield and attack that shine.

The Gunners possess several great options in this area, though fitting them all in is not quite possible.

One of the few bright sparks this season has been Albert Lokonga, and he should be starting in the centre of any Arsenal midfield.

Alongside him the player with the highest quality and best potential is Thomas Partey, and he should also be considered by Arteta as a regular starter.

If Partey and Lokonga hold down centre midfield, then attention turns to attacking midfielders and who plays up front.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka should feature with Saka probably on the left and Odegaard likely in the centre of an attacking midfield trio.

However, there is then a choice between either Emile Smith Rowe or Nicolas Pepe to join those two.
Record signing Pepe brings a lot of clout because of that £72m price tag, though Smith Rowe has risen through the ranks and Arteta is clearly a fan.

Smith Rowe is in better form and is the better choice right now, though a tussle with Pepe to start could emerge.

And then the best option up front is captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, though he will need to return to form quickly if Arsenal are to recover from their early slump.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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