Squad depth 2025-2026: Page 19 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Squad depth 2025-2026

flobaba

Mosquera is definitely the "Saliba" of the duo in terms of passing volume. He is also still quite raw and error prone as evidenced by that compilation. Just needs to improve his decision ever so slightly, and brush up on some basics re body positioning. Got all the ingredients to begin to dominate and become strong competition for Wilo.

Need to see a bit more of Hincapie.

est

Mosquera needs to work on his heading. Gets caught under the ball too often or doesn't connect with the ball as well as he could.

Other than that it's mostly about experience and playing within a proper system with everyone knowing where they have to be. He did really well in that 10-change mix-and-mach team.

Tactics

We have a massive squad and I really hope we make proper use of it during the busy period. Here are different midfield configurations we could use:

Same midfield as yesterday:

-----Rice------Eze----
----------Zubi

The Real Sociedad mid (Rice gets a rest):

-----Merino-----Ode----
------------Zubi

Zubi and Merino regularly start for Spain, so that should help us.

Against the bus parkers (an opportunity to rest Zubi, shouldn't be overplayed):

-------Eze-------Ode---
------------Rice----

For the cups:

Merino-----Nwaneri---
-----Norgaard

The best:

---Rice-----Ode---
--------Zubi

We should try to rest Zubi, Rice and Ode as much as possible. The season is long and it's vital those guys are in great shape going into March, April and May.

Qwiss

Tactics when Ode is fit I think heavy midfield rotation is needed. Games like Brugge and Wolves coming up are opportunities to rest Rice or Zubi and go with a midfield that includes Eze and Ode.

Mirth

Qwiss first let's see if Artetas willing to make a sub before the 78th min

Qwiss

Mirth I can't wait for us to start bringing on Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli, Madueke, etc for the last 20-30 minutes. It'll be carnage.

USArsenal

Qwiss Who are you putting in there at the left to start? Are you thinking Eze gets moved over to the left to start games once Ode is back?

Qwiss

USArsenal I think Trossard should keep his place right now but I think when Ode is fit Arteta always plays Ode so he's probably more likely to benched than Eze. Although I expect a lot of rotation between these guys, Madueke will get a lot of starts too.

FEBravo

Let’s see. We never saw Arteta rotate so the proof and the pudding and all. Defo has the options now

JazzG

Great we have options like those two with Gabriel out.

Qwiss

JazzG tbf they were both excellent. Its an incredible safety net. That's why I didn't feel the need to panic when we got the Gabriel news. This squad is stacked.

banduan

Saw a pundit (Arsenal fan) on CBS golazo ask "when was the last time Saka got taken off when the game was still 1-1?".

To top it off Noni scored too.

Sicario2

banduan when did he last get taken off at 1-1 when we have a bigger game a few days later? Context is key here

banduan

Previously you know he would have been asked to still grind it out.

JazzG

Qwiss Shown this season that without Saliba and Gabriel we have hungry top level players who can step in and the drop off is so small you wouldn't even tell. Incredible squad we have right now. Rice or Zubimendi are probably the player we would miss the most if they were out.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

I'd love it if we developed Myles to be a Rice analogue of sorts. He's looking a little lost out at LB at the moment anyway.

Meatwad

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert
MLS doesn't have Rice's pace and stamina to offer something similar. he needs to watch and learn from Zubi.

Qwiss

Meatwad Rice didn't have it at 19 either TBF. That sort of stamina doesn't kick in until you are 23 or so. He's certainly capable of making those surging runs Rice does. Not sure he has Rices ability to track back and make those insane tackles but he's got better feet. Despite playing at left back so far I think he'll probably be better in attack than Rice (in open play) and worse in defence when he hits his peak.

Panda

I'd like to see him in the box to box L8 role too. Would play it differently to Rice of course a bit more attacking I imagine but still think it'd suit him too.

Pepe LeFrits

Should be developed as a 6 for me

Qwiss

Pepe LeFrits I like him at 8 because he is capable of those long carries from defence to attack. He's usually got something clever to offer in the final 3rd too.

daredevil

Pepe LeFrits

I don't think he's switched on to be good defensively in the role nor does he have the quick and sharp passing range to dictate tempo. Left 8 allows him to utilise his best strength which is carrying the ball. Being left footed will also open up interesting passing angles and opportunities.

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