Despite several gaping holes in the squad, Arsenal have not made any signings yet and are prioritising landing Ben White instead of landing a quality right-back and a playmaker.
So we thought we'd come up with a few mock lineups. These XIs are extremely bad but are not beyond the realms of possibility next season.
👨🔬 Lineup 1. Mad scientist Mikel
One criticism often levelled at Arteta is that he likes experimenting. So there is a chance he decides to try using Auba and Pepe as defensive wide midfielders (what he basically did at the beginning of the past season) and Emile Smith Rowe as a false 9 (remember the Villarreal game).
The £50m signing Ben White pulls our creative strings from right centre-back as Xhaka and Partey continue exchanging sideways passes as they did last season. Oh, and Bellerin at right-back.
🛡️ Lineup 2: Too many CBs? Not a problem!
Another thing Arsenal don't want to see next season is Arteta returning to a three-at-the-back shape.
But the impending signing of Ben White would result in overcrowding the centre-back department, and there is no better way to use extra central defenders than to play them in a three-at-the back.
Maitland-Niles could then stay to play at right wing-back as we pair Partey with Chambers.
And worst of all, the departure of Maty Ryan means we're an injury or suspension away from playing Runarsson.
But if you think it can't get worse than this, you're wrong. What follows is scarier than any horror movie you've seen. Consider yourself warned.
🐑 Option 3: Worse than 2007–08 Derby County
First of all, forgotten man Sead Kolasinac could be drafted if Tierney is taken down.
We're quite short-staffed in midfield now too, so a midfield pair of Maitland-Niles–Mo Elneny is also possible if we ship out Xhaka and Partey gets red-carded or injured.
But even that is not the worst. Enter Willian Borges!
This monster of a football team would go down to the Championship. And deservedly so.
We obviously hope these lineups won't become real—but they paint a clear picture of how much work Arsenal have to do in the transfer market.
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