Written by Mean Lean on Saturday, 13 August 2011 11:54

Only now does the new season feel real. The time when I can thankfully discard the 24/7 talk about the transfer window. The hype around transfers thanks in part to outlets like Sky Sports news has given transfers almost more importance then the football itself in the minds of some.

That is certainly not the case for me. This is what it is about, 11 Arsenal players regardless of what name is spread across their back against 11 opposition players.

The team visit a ground that has left such a mental scar for many fans around the world and probably some of the players, and given the negativity surrounding the club with unsettled players it could be one of the worst grounds to have to visit on an opening day. But that depends on which glasses you are peering through.

A solid and convincing team display and victory could wipe the slate clean for the players to take part, a chance to unlock the shackles that are attached to certain players who will not be taking part and a chance to give the team the platform to kick on and show the quality that they so obviously have.

While many are fretting about the absence of Cesc Fabregas, I am more worried that Jack Wilshere will not be featuring for us this afternoon. It is a long season and there is certainly no point in taking any risks with such a young talent on the opening day of the season but I think the presence of Wilshere would have done so many people the world of good, a chance to show the future of the club and forget about what we used to have.

I have the same feeling about Wilshere that I had last season for Samir Nasri. He looks focused and a level above the last time we saw him in the Premier League. Let us hope that it is only a minor injury that will not become a Vermaelen or even worse a Rosicky type of ongoing issue.

While many fans turn their nose up at Tomas Rosicky due to his indifferent performances after the beginning of last season, I am personally excited to see the Czech International prove that he still has that mojo underneath that floppy hair of his.

He has looked sharp in pre season and looks more like the 2008 version than the one who was utterly disappointing in his cameo at St James' Park.

Arsene Wenger looks to have given the experienced Czech his third position for the club. He started on the left in place of Robert Pires, playing the occasional game on the right. He was then moved into the offensive playmaking role but had inconsistent results, judging by the pre season, it looks as if Wenger has given Rosicky the chance to take a step back and play as the second central midfield player, a role that seems perfectly suited to his quick passing and link up play. While he may not have the killer end product in terms of goals and assists, it is hard to argue with his footballing brain and his ability to keep our game ticking. He rarely lacks work rate so I am hoping to see Rosicky excel in that position alongside Alex Song this afternoon, unless Arsene Wenger has other ideas and chooses to stiffen up our midfield by adding the tenacious Emmanuel Frimpong in his place, an interesting idea for away days against tough midfields but you would imagine that our football could suffer to some extent without the guile of both Wilshere or Rosicky.

While we are all hoping that an extra central defender comes into the club in the next few weeks, I cannot help but be very excited at the prospect of watching Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen partner each other in the center of defence. Two tigerishly aggressive defenders who are quick across the ground and who could probably be one of the most creative midfielders in 70% of the Premier League's teams to date. Yes, neither are 7ft.9 but I believe they have the correct attitude to forge a top partnership.

While we are on the subject of defending, it will be good to get a real glimpse of our set piece work. I expect plenty more talking and a more aggressive attitude in beating the opposition in the air but arguably more important than all of that will be how we implement our pressing game.

In our trip to Asia we worked very hard at it and it looked good. It looked to ease off when we returned to London for the Emirates cup but I am hoping that with the season getting closer, Arsene wanted to save some legs and focus more on the combinations of the players.

Whether it be Newcastle, Swansea or Manchester United the team have got to fight for the shirt in the exact same way for every moment if they are to achieve success.

Out of all our summer signings, I imagine that only Gervinho will start the game and I expect him to make a big impact today and for most of the season. While I would say Samir Nasri is the more talented of the two, I think Gervinho's game will complement the rest of the team better as he adds much needed directness to our attacking play.

Gervinho's position will depend on the form and fitness of Theo Walcott vs Andrey Arshavin. If Walcott is fit and starts then Gervinho will start from the left, if Arshavin gets the nod then Gervinho will play on the right. The rotation and link up between the likes of Gervinho, Walcott/Arshavin and Van Persie will be vital to our attacking play. Our speedsters should mean that Robin will no longer be isolated for any long periods of time.

I think we have a very strong team overall but if I was to point at a concern then it would be having too much responsibility on the shoulders of Aaron Ramsey who has been inconsistent this pre season. I expect Rosicky and Ramsey to rotate more frequently than anyone previously did with Cesc, Wenger may expect his midfield to share the creative responsibility instead of relying on one player.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

Predicted scores will be disposed of because a) I am massively biased and b) I am usually well off the mark but I do expect the team to win today.

We have been holding back over the pre season and now is the time to put it all together. Many players out there today will have plenty to prove and I expect them to show that we are still strong without Cesc and Nasri.

I cannot wait to see the Arsenal back on the pitch again.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

• Add New
• RSS

Comments (15)

• 13-Aug-2011 12:32 | | Jermeir
  

  that's the spirit...cmonnnnnn with or without cesc

• 13-Aug-2011 12:34 | | Passenal  - Just what we need
  

  A good positive post ML - just what the doctor ordered. We need to get behind the team and forget about players who are not or do not want to wear the shirt.

• 13-Aug-2011 12:36 | | Anonymous
  

  nicely done, but where does chamberlain fit in??

• 13-Aug-2011 12:36 | | Greg  - Great analysis
  

  Can't wait for kick-off. Let's get up 'em.
  
  I have a lot of time for Rosicky too, let's not forget that Wenger could move Arshavin infield to his preferred position as well.

• 13-Aug-2011 12:47 | | Tattie  - Good stuff
  

  A real positive start predicted. I expect 60% possession and ruthless finishing leading to a comfortable win. Wenger does know.
  

• 13-Aug-2011 12:50 | | ryan sutts
  

  Good to hear a positive Arsenal fan good on you .
  Come on you Gooners

• 13-Aug-2011 12:54 | | chris
  

  Asharvin for ramsey please. The Russian is a natural centre of the field playmaker. We will be much better off with him there. Ramsey is still a full year off the requisite quality to pull that job off.

• 13-Aug-2011 13:06 | | irish gooner
  

  fuck cesc,nasri or any other gits who think they are better than the arsenal,,,,to hell with the lot of them

• 13-Aug-2011 13:36 | | piken79  - fantasy league
  

  join a fellow gooner fantasy league...http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ Code to join this league: 1804043-371988

• 13-Aug-2011 13:55 | | JB212  - General thoughts
  

  Coming to realise our squad isn't as weak as I was thinking. It's not as strong as say Manure or Citeh, but apart from those two teams don't believe there's a squad stronger and deeper than ours in the league.
  
  We're challengers right now, and with a few signings we could be in for a strong title battle.
  
  I agree with Arshavin being played where Ramsey is, but that would effectively mean that someone like Frimpong would have to be played next to Song to counter-act Arshavin's work rate and defensive contribution. Song's more than adept and picking passes out for fun and dribbling past players so wouldn't be the worst thing to happen.
  
  Rosicky in my opinion is best suited to this position in our squad and hopefully he can show everyone why he's my favourite Arsenal playmaker in the squad.
  
  It will be interesting to see how Gervinho copes on his debut against such a "rough" playing team. hopefully Song doesn't venture forward too much and I would be ecstatic to see Chamberlain come on for the last 20 minutes or so with Lansbury making an appearance too.

• 13-Aug-2011 14:12 | | m'sia gunner
  

  no depth in squad

• 13-Aug-2011 15:20 | | gooner
  

  great read, i reckon pace will be so key this season, we've got pace in abundance, not only in walcott and gervinho, but in chamberlain and ryo who can really become super subs, coming on with 20/30 minutes to go and ripping tired defences to peices with their pace, im really looking forward to the newcastle game in a bit, this season is our season to prove the critics wrong!
  up the gooners!

• 14-Aug-2011 02:24 | | Man United Killa  - Question for Mean Lean
  

  ML, I have one question for you.Please have a look at your lineup and tell me sincerely...Do you really think this squad will/can win the league?Give me a very honest answer.

• 14-Aug-2011 05:50 | | MeanLean
  

  At it's current state? No. We are lacking strength of numbers but look at it this way.
  
  Yesterday we played without Wilshere (injured), Vela (close to loan move), Cesc, Nasri, Eboue, Bendtner (want away players) That is seven players not in the squad. Seven players is more than half a squad. Now perhaps Wenger will not replace all seven as the likes of Ryo, Chamberlain will all be part of the squad but Cesc and Nasri in particular will be replaced if they go. Bendtner could possibly be replaced if he goes.
  
  The reason why we look weak if because many players futures are yet to be decided and they haven't left yet. When they do then we will bring in players who will be part of the squad.
  
  If the transfer window closes are we continue to look this thin then yes, it is a concern but I truly believe that will not be the case when the transfer window is shut.

• 14-Aug-2011 08:00 | | Man United Killa  - Fair Enough...
  

  Fair points ML...The only thing I will disagree is with that, I don't think we are lacking in numbers.I think it's a matter of quality.I don't believe in a star studded squad but every team (especially a top team like Arsenal) needs a few to even out the ordinary squad players we have.
  Our creativity power and directness was suspect yesterday and my fears were confirmed.Like you, I am in keen anticipation of what the final squad will look like when the transfer window closes.
  And a final though.remember that,we will need time to gel the team with so many new additions.I wish I shared your optimism but I still feel this year is not the year.We need more time.At least a minor cup win will set the triggering belief effect..mayhaps..

Write comment

Your Details:

Name:

Comment:

Title:

Message:

Powered by Compojoom comment 4.1.7 stable