Wenger to Surprise Liverpool with Maitland-Niles at Right Back?
Reflecting on last night’s narrow cup win, I find myself considering what the match against West Ham might suggest for Friday’s visit of Liverpool. Who was not selected and whether that means they have now been upgraded to the ‘A’ Team and on last night performances, who pressed their claims to face the Anfield Reds.
It now seems that Wenger has, temporarily at least, reverted to his old 4231. Whether this reversion is permanent remains to be seen, but to face Liverpool I am certain he will start with a conventional defence.
I do, however, feel the back four selected might surprise us.
In recent games, the manager has favoured Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back and left out Kolasinac. The latter played quite well against the Hammers, but perhaps not well enough for a recall. Indeed, with the threat from Friday’s visitors being very real but firmly not aerial, a mobile back four is more requisite than a tall back four. For this reason, I think we will see the return of Mustafi alongside Koscielny in the centre of a back four. If that is the case, Nacho Monreal, arguably the first name on the team sheet, should be given the nod for his defensive experience to counter Mo Salah.
To complete the four, in a week when Wenger has strongly spoken up Maitland- Niles, I wonder if the young World Cup winner might get the nod at right back over an entirely out of sorts Hector Bellerin. Yes, it would be a huge call, but Niles also has the pace to counter Mane and a more physical presence. Bellerin has seemed devoid of confidence for some time now and is a shadow of the young gun we all have come to love. He has struggled to come to terms with the dual wingback role, which most felt would come naturally to him and his attacking flair. His ability to beat his opposite number has disappeared. This is not the end for Hector, as he has far too much talent, but a few games out of the firing line over Christmas may assist him to recharge his batteries.
Maitland-Niles is the future
Many will continue to see Maitland-Niles as our future holding midfielder, and he may well be so, but at present, he is being utilised very effectively as a wingback/full-back. Barring a few outings in the FA Cup early on last season, these outings have all been on the left, so I for one would like to see how he fairs on his stronger right side. Of course, Debuchy also has claims to step in for Bellerin, but whilst his form in the cup team has been hugely encouraging, we have to admit that he is not Arsenal’s future.
Another reason to have Monreal back on the left in the 4231 is to renew a partnership on that flank with Alexis. Whatever our views on the form or attitude of the Chilean, he will play on Friday and he simply works better with the Spaniard. Much of the constant cutting in from Sanchez, contributing frustratingly to the narrowness and lack of width in our play, seems to be caused by his lack of trust in Kolasinac. Sead is making the overlapping runs continuously but Alexis is ignoring them, or so it appears to me at least. Having his old left-sided partner back might bring out the old Sanchez. Worth a try at least!
The Xhaka/Wilshere axis
Francis Coquelin played very well last night and might have been considered to ‘do a job’ on Couthino, but his late injury probably means the Xhaka/Wilshere axis will continue. The latter needs to come to terms with the increased defensive responsibility alongside the Swiss play-maker, but we all know he has that in him. Both will have to be at their best and most mobile against Liverpool, and our wide players will need to work back meaningfully. It is for this reason that after an energetic and ultimately match-winning performance against West Ham, I hope Danny Welbeck gets the nod to play on the right of the three, alongside Ozil, with Lacazette up top. Wenger may well opt for Iwobi, but against Liverpool, Welbeck’s energy, work rate. and ability to press effectively give him the edge of Iwobi’s superior technique and ball retention.
Roll on Friday!
This article was originally published here, at gunnerstown.com
Image credit: Daily Star
