Wenger faces selection dilemmas

Arsenal rounded off their preseason yesterday with a comprehensive 4-0 win over FC Koln, Lukas Podolski‘s former club. It was an extremely encouraging performance, especially in the first half. All 3 of Arsenal’s summer signings were named in the starting XI and they certainly lived up to their billing.

Once the Gunners got a foothold on the game, they started to dominate with some quite brilliant attacking link up play. Santi Cazorla’s 45 minute cameo was the highlight. He showed off a remarkable array of passes during a tasty glimpse of what lies ahead for Arsenal fans. He was the focal point of nearly every Arsenal attack, linking up especially well with the impressive Theo Walcott on the right.

As expected, he was utilised at the front of the midfield three, the role which Fabregas made his own before his departure. In addition to Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud were both impressive on their debuts. Podolski grabbed himself a brace, the second, a trademark smash into the top corner. Whilst Giroud failed to score, he forced a couple of good saves from the keeper and linked up very well with Cazorla and co.

SO KON PO, HONG KONG – JULY 29: Players of Arsenal FC celebrates with trophy at the end of the pre-season Asian Tour friendly

With Arsenal currently enjoying a (relatively) injury free preseason, with Sagna, Rosicky and Wilshere the only absentees, they will be going into the first game with an unusually strong squad to choose from. Wenger will have some serious selection dilemmas, for once, the good kind as he doesn’t have to contend with an injury list as long as the Team GB medal winner’s list (notice how I slyly managed to sneak that in there?).

The Robin van Persie transfer saga continues to rumble on, or simmer, because not much is actually happening. That only adds more doubt as to the likely make up of the XI to walk out against Sunderland on the 18th of August.

It was perhaps notable that Wenger gave van Persie only 20 minutes at the end of the game, not exactly the kind of preparation for a man who is starting a Premier League campaign in a week. Mind you, he did take the captain’s armband when he eventually made his entrance. In all probability it means absolutely nothing and I am just waffling on about nonsense. Yep, that sounds about right.

So, van Persie may or may not start. Whilst Podolski had a great game today, so did Gervinho and he has arguably been the man of Arsenal’s preseason and certainly deserves a chance to start.

There are actually very few positions which are nailed down. Szczesny will definitely start in goal. Vermaelen and Koscielny will probably start at the heart of defence. But apart from that, Cazorla is probably the only other man who is sure of starting.

I have my own ideas about who should play but when it comes to the attacking positions it becomes very hard to pick. In the end, it may well come down to the fitness levels of the players. Obviously, we don’t know much about that so it’s hard to say what Wenger will do.

But, for what it’s worth, this is what I imagine Wenger’s team will be;

Szczesny; Yennaris, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Song, Arteta, Cazorla; Gervinho/Podolski, Giroud, Walcott.

Actually, come to think of it, that’s also what my team would be. I just can’t split Gervinho and Podolski. Gervinho will have the better fitness levels but I’m sure Wenger will want to get Podolski involved. If Gervinho does start, Podolski will certainly come on from the bench.

I also think that whilst the van Persie situation is still unresolved he will go with Giroud. Both to give the new man a confidence boost and to have a completely focused player on the pitch. You don’t want to send van Persie out there with him wondering what the United score is, do you?

I do think Arsenal are going into the season in the best shape they’ve been in for a while. There is certainly a lot of promise in that squad.