Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have had a decent start to the current Premier League season, picking up seven points from their first three games. However, they encountered some setbacks in their recent match against Brighton, where a red card for Declan Rice altered the course of the game, leading to a draw.
The Gunners, who narrowly missed out on the league title in the last two seasons, understand the value of every point. The upcoming international break will give Arteta time to work with his squad players who are not on national team duty, including summer signing Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, who previously played under Arteta at Manchester City, should adapt quickly to Arsenal’s playing style, akin to Pep Guardiola’s philosophy. As Arsenal faces tough fixtures like the North London derby and matches against Manchester City, Arteta will need to utilize his full squad effectively.
To integrate Sterling smoothly, Arteta may need to make tactical adjustments. With defensive players like White, Saliba, and Gabriel performing well, Arteta might consider playing Havertz in a deeper midfield role to accommodate Sterling up top.
In the absence of injured players like Rice and Merino, Arteta must rethink his midfield setup for the upcoming critical games. Players like Partey and Odegaard are expected to start, but Arteta may need to decide between a like-for-like midfielder or a wildcard option to fill the void.
Moving forward, Arteta could replicate Guardiola’s strategy by shifting Sterling upfront, allowing creative players like Saka and Martinelli to cause problems for the opposing defense. This attacking trio could exploit any weaknesses in the opponent’s high defensive line, as seen in Newcastle’s recent victory against Spurs.
Here is the potential strongest Arsenal XI based on current form and availability: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Havertz; Saka, Sterling, Martinelli. This lineup promises a blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair, ideal for the upcoming challenging fixtures.
As Arteta fine-tunes his squad during the international break, Arsenal fans can expect an exciting lineup and tactical approach in the upcoming games. With talented players like Sterling joining the ranks, the Gunners have the potential to make a strong statement in the Premier League this season. Stay tuned for more updates on Arsenal’s journey in the league.
