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In a January transfer window that started out miserably for Arsenal fans, the club's eventual signings look to be exciting captures. The loss of star man Alexis Sanchez was a blow - such was his talent and ability to decide games on his own - but his form had tailed off significantly after last season. The sense is that the club may be better off without such a disruptive presence in the dressing room.
The sale of Olivier Giroud isn't one to be taken lightly but in the bewildering transfer merry-go-round that occurred towards the end of the window, it resulted in one of Arsenal's strongest signings in years: the £56 million move to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund. The Gabon international has been one of Europe's most feared strikers for the past few seasons, as he plundered his way to an incredible 98 goals in a mere 144 league appearances for his former side.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan also arrived as part of the move that took Sanchez to Manchester United and the hope is that he will rediscover stronger form in London; the talent within the player is certainly there. For the first time in perhaps a long time, Arsenal fans can feel excited about their team's future. Arsene Wenger now has the enviable job of fitting all his new attacking talent into his starting team. Let us have a look at the strongest possible starting XI for the Gunners.
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech
The big Czech goalkeeper may have made an uncharacteristic mistake in Arsenal's loss to Swansea this month, but he still remains a solid pair of hands at the back at his best. At 35, Cech isn't as flexible and agile as he once was but his commanding presence is still a feature of his game.
His performances, on the whole, have been strong enough to merit his inclusion over backup David Ospina and, at his age, Cech should still have another year at this level of competition; an experienced head to offer protection to this new-look Arsenal team.
Cech is a three-time winner of the EPL and this knowledge will be invaluable if this new-look Arsenal side do gel and take the team up the table. With Arsenal bringing in two new key players further up the pitch, Cech can be the steady rock that forms the core of Arsenal's defence.
Defence
Hector Bellerin (Right-back)
The rangy Spanish right-back endured a difficult start to this campaign, struggling somewhat as a right wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation. He has recovered enough, however, to merit his place in Wenger's best XI. He has so many positive attributes to his game, everything needed to be an elite player, and it just needs to all come together finally: the speed, the athleticism, combined with the crossing and defending qualities.
With the new arrivals all being flair, attacking players, some pressure will be taken off Bellerin to be a main attacking outlet. This should allow him to concentrate more on his own game, particularly defensively. While modern full-backs are expected to bomb down the pitch to support attacks, they should defend well first foremostly.
Shkodran Mustafi (Centre-back)
Arsenal's most troublesome department on the pitch is centre-back but Mustafi represents a better choice than Rob Holding at the moment, as the young Englishman has struggled to replicate his good form from last season.
Mustafi is an international defender, signed for big money and has put in many quality performances this season, including against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. If paired beside his senior partner Laurent Koscielny and if the two are given a good run of games together, then a partnership should develop over time.
Since signing for the club, Mustafi hasn't played terrible but he needs to make more of his commanding presence. A great aerial threat, he should be threatening more with this at either end of the pitch. Arsenal have needed someone to do this for a few seasons now, and Mustafi is perfectly capable of doing so.
Laurent Koscielny (Centre-back)
The French international has been Arsenal's most important defender for a long time now but has unfortunately been beset by niggling injuries in recent times. If he can recover, Koscielny immediately improves the team in defence. As mentioned, there is definitely potential for him and Mustafi to form a solid relationship at the back in Wenger's side.
For too long, Arsenal's inconsistency at the back has meant no true partnership has formed in the centre of defence since Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure. Arsenal needs leaders in their team and having Koscielny in it is vital to allow having players who are vocal, confident, and combative. Perhaps only when Koscielny finally leaves the club will his presence be finally fully appreciated.
Nacho Monreal (Left-back)
It's a testament to Monreal's performances this season that summer arrival Sead Kolasinac, whose signing was so acclaimed at the time, has fallen out of the first team picture recently. The Spaniard has been arguably Arsenal's best player so far this season. He has performed impressively whether at left-back, left wing-back or centre-back, and he's even added a remarkable number of goals to his game.
Monreal's also showed such passion for the team and the fans, something which is appreciated when a team is going through tough times. His leadership qualities will be needed as the season wears on. It's important for the fans to have representatives on the pitch, players they can relate to, and Monreal's passion this season makes him a candidate for this role.
Midfield
Mesut Ozil (Right Central Midfielder)
Ozil dramatically signed a contract extension to remain with Arsenal when for most of January it appeared like he would depart alongside Sanchez; that he chose to stay is as equally important as any new signing. At his true best, Ozil is still one of the finest playmakers in the world.
While his overall performances may have dipped this season, his stats haven't as he is still laying on a good amount of chances for his teammates; players like Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan should be salivating at the thought of being supplied by Ozil.
While he usually has operated further forward for Wenger, a drop back into a midfield three isn't out of the question: consider the great success a similar player like David Silva has had moving there for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
It wouldn't necessarily mean more defensive duties for Ozil but would give him more space to pick up the ball from his defenders and try and locate his front three with his passing range. Ozil is a left-footer who loves to drift from right to left, so playing on the right of the midfield three would allow him to make diagonal runs across the pitch in this manner.
Mohamed Elneny (Central Defensive Midfielder)
A player who often goes unnoticed, Elneny would provide the solid defensive platform so vital to allow the flair players around him to express themselves freely. Wenger has gone with a midfield without a proper defensive option in the past and suffered because of it. Elneny has perhaps been under-appreciated in his time at Arsenal so far but it's in the same way that Makelele was treated similarly at both Chelsea and Real Madrid.
When one does the dirty work for the team they can't expect to receive the acclaim of the attacking talent. The Egyptian international is a decent ball-carrier, with a good passing range, but most importantly he will offer protection for his defence and Mesut Ozil beside him. With so much attacking talent for Wenger to fit into his starting XI, it's important not to forget the need for strong defensive quality.
Jack Wilshere (Left Central Midfielder)
A popular figure with the fans, Wilshere returned to Arsenal from his somewhat disappointing season-long loan at Bournemouth last season and has looked far sharper and stronger. He hasn't featured nearly as much as he should have in EPL games so far, with Wenger restricting him to cup competitions mostly, but a large section of the support have been clamouring for his inclusion.
On top form, Wilshere is a terrific blend of ferocity and skill, equally happy being in possession and harassing opposition midfielders. His performances have merited more of a chance in the league and Wilshere's presence would provide further defensive shield alongside Mohamed Elneny.
As a left-footer, Wilshere would also provide a nice balance to compensate for having a right-footer in Lacazette playing out wide on the left-hand side of the pitch. Aaron Ramsey hasn't necessarily performed badly this season so far but Wilshere just offers that bit of aggression and bite that Arsenal needs right now.
Attack
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Right Winger)
The Armenian linked up incredibly well with Aubameyang during their time together in Germany at Borussia Dortmund and Wenger will be hoping they can replicate that form in England. In the 2015-2016 season, the pair scored an amazing 62 goals between them.
Mkhitaryan never got the run in the Manchester United team his talents deserved, too often finding himself jostling for an attacking position with Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford, and Jesse Lingard.
If he is given freedom to show his talent in London, though, the deal that brought the player to the club will start looking like a tremendous business by Wenger. Mkhitaryan possesses incredible ball control and dribbling skills, so his ability to carry the ball from the wide right and take defenders out of the game will be vital.
This formation allows for Ozil to drift out to the right-hand side, giving Mkhitaryan the chance to come inside and link up with Aubameyang in the centre. It's fluid, flexible, and should suit the players needs to help them show their best form.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker)
The new main man, there's no doubt that Wenger will start Aubameyang when he's fit. He's the kind of player the Frenchman adores so much. He is incredibly fast, full of acceleration, with the finishing ability to match.
The player is at the right age to show his best ability in English football. He's definitely operating at his peak, scoring 13 goals in just 16 league appearances for Borussia Dortmund before his departure.
Aubameyang is also a charismatic figure, confident and bold, represents the kind of player Arsenal fans could grow to idolize, in the vein of their former hero Thierry Henry. He will look to stretch EPL defences with his speed, similar to the job Jamie Vardy does for Leicester, and Ozil will be looking to slip through balls to him at every possible opportunity. If they start to click, Arsenal should begin climbing the league table very soon.
Alexandre Lacazette (Left Winger)
One had to feel slightly sorry for Lacazette, for he was acclaimed just as much as Aubameyang upon his own arrival at the club last summer: he came for similar money, had scored a great number of goals at his former club Lyon, was at a good age and full of confidence that he could lead the line.
It hasn't fully worked out for the player but it hasn't been an unmitigated disaster either, which should be a source of frustration for the Frenchman. Lacazette has actually performed admirably well since the start of the season, without truly hitting world-class form, but that has more to do with the team's struggles collectively; it's always hard to find the goals as a forward in a team not expressing themselves as well as they could.
He has a commendable 9 goals in 24 league appearances and is clearly too good a player to relegate to the substitutes bench, so Wenger should be looking to fit both he and Aubameyang into his starting XI.
It will be unfortunate but Lacazette will most likely find himself moved over to the left-hand side of the pitch, to accommodate the new arrival, but he definitely has all the attributes needed to cope well in this role. He has speed, trickery, and good dribbling ability that could help him easily find a lot of goals from this position just like Alexis Sanchez did before him.
When Thierry Henry arrived at the club from Juventus, he was famously converted from a left winger into a striker, and it would be interesting if Wenger could reverse this move and find similar success with Lacazette.
Having Lacazette occupying defenders from that side of the pitch should give Aubameyang some free space to exploit through the middle. The fluidity of the system also allows for the two to partner each other up front with Mkhitaryan dropping a little deeper in behind them.
