What Is Arsenal’s Best Starting XI For The 2010-11 Season?

Ollie Irish

9th, August 2010

38 Comments

By Ollie Irish

“Hmm, the chicken or the fish?”

Firstly, a disclaimer: I know modern Premier League teams have big squads which they rotate, and I know there’s quite a difference between the team you pick for a home match and an away match. Just so we’re clear on that.

Okay, with that in mind, and remembering that this is just a harmless bit of fun, I want you to pick Arsenal‘s best starting XI for the coming season.

I’ll go first.

The formation: As I mentioned in my season preview for the Gunners, I’m very tempted by the currently popular 4-2-3-1 formation, and as I’m a sucker for temptation, it’s what I’m going to choose here.

The line-up:

Manuel Almunia (oh dear)

Bacary Sagna – Laurent Koscielny – Thomas Vermaelen – Gael Clichy

Alex Song – Abou Diaby

Samir Nasri – Cesc Fabregas (c) – Andrei Arshavin

Robin van Persie

I like the look of it – having two defensive midfielders would really give Fabregas the freedom to pull as many strings as he wanted.

There, I’ve shown you mine. Now you show me yours…

Posted in Arsenal, Featured

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38 Comments

  1. gaptooth says:

    i dont have a arsenal team im afraid – but if any 1 of their back 4 get injured they are up shit creek – gibbs is the only decent debutant – also goes applies to their keeper

    they will undoubtably score plenty of goals and play pretty football – but if i were an arsenal fan id be asking myself 3 very serious questions

    1) how good is Laurent Koscielny ? – they guy was playing in a mid to lower table french team – is he a suitable replacement for the premier league mainstay that was Gallas ( who also scored vital goals)
    2) Is cesc really captain material anymore ? – its a mockery and also shows arsene’s ridiculous double standards – that he allows a player who openly flirted with a rival club to retain the captains arm band – cant see any other player in arsenal getting away with that – will this effect the dressing room ?
    3) What does the future hold ? this season will surely be the last for cesc and possibly wenger if we are to believe some reports in the papers – with either one of those 2 gone what happens after that ?

    maybe im a cynical cock – but i think there are some issues which need to be resolved at the emirates before the big trophies start flooding back

    good luck to them tho !

  2. Calum says:

    Mannone
    Sagna Vermaelen Koscielny Gibbs
    Diaby Song Fabregas Nasri
    Van Persie/Arshavin
    Chamakh

  3. Cameron says:

    Scnezny
    Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs

    Walcott Song Diaby Arshavin

    Fabregas

    Van Persie

  4. Mphoza says:

    Wenger will probably stick with the 1 DM formation from last season, counting on the more attck minded players to keep the ball from the opposition.
    So the formation will be 4-1-3-2, with RVP and the Barca loanee having a free role

    Almunia

    Sagna Kos Verm Clichy

    Song

    Rosicy Fabregas Nasri
    RVP
    Chamakh
    RVP

  5. junior says:

    Mannone
    Sagna Koscieny Vermaelen Clichy
    Song
    Nasri Fabregas

    Arshavin

    Chamak RVP

  6. Arsenal Future Manager says:

    —————- Mannone/Szchney ——————
    Sagna — Koscielny — Vermaelen — Clichy —
    ——————— Song ——————————
    ——————————– Nasri ——————-
    ———— Fabregas ———————————
    V.Persie ———————————– Arshavin
    ——————— Chamakh ————————

  7. huh? says:

    Chesney
    sagna kos vermaelen gibbs
    song
    nasri fabregas arshavin
    rvp chamakh

  8. deckard says:

    my ideal team is the one ollie put up. people naturally think chamakh will start cos wenger actually bought him and took out some decent dosh out of his wallet. but the best side, on paper, doesn’t, shouldn’t, have the moroccan in it. he’ll see plenty of action though cos, inevitably, one of arsenal’s attackers will get seriously injured.

  9. Dave says:

    Given

    Sagna, Kos, Verm, Clichy

    Song

    Fabregas Diaby

    Arsh Van Persie

    Chamakh

    But in all fairness Nasri, Rosicky, Velo, Walcott, Eboue could easily be in that attack – going forward is not a problem for us its Alexander Song (best player in an Arsenal shirt last year) and what happens behind him !!

    We need another holding player and at least another C. Back and Goalkeeper as a minimum, put a vidic type player alongside Verma and a Seaman type keeper behind them – then there is no reason Arsenal cannot win the lot – they play the best football they just need the cover because the youth team as good as it is cannot cope with the step up quite yet

  10. Dev says:

    I think Chamakh, Walcott and Nasri have earned a first team place, and Arshavin looks like he is happy at Arsenal. I think Van Persie will come back stronger, so he should play. Gibbs and Clichy will battle for LB, both have looked good, and Sagna really has to watch his back, Eboue is looking very good.

    I think Given or Hart will come to Arsenal, whoever is the reserve keeper will probably join on loan.

    Diaby must be careful, I think Ramsey will become a first team player once he is fit

  11. —————–GIVEN—————
    —sagna—CAHILL—vermy—clichy—
    ————-song–diaby————-
    —–nasri—–fabregas—-arshavin–
    ——————rvp—————-
    =====================================
    —————–song—————-
    —-nasri——fabregas—–arshavin-
    ————chamakh——————
    ———————–rvp———–
    however, against liverpoo (probably knowing AW):
    —————almunia:(————-
    —sagna—-kos—-vermy—-clichy—
    ————-song-diaby————–
    —–walcott—-nasri—-arshavin—-
    —————chamakh—————

  12. Gilly says:

    Given loan
    Sagna
    Koscielny
    Verma
    Clichy
    Song
    Nasri
    Fabregas
    Arshavin
    Chamahk
    Van Persie

    Subs:
    Almunia
    Eboue
    Diaby
    Gibbs
    Walcott
    Ramsey
    Bentner

  13. Sumeet says:

    ____________________________alumnia___________________________
    __sagna________koscienly______________vermaelan______clichy___
    ____________________________song______________________________
    ___________nasri_____________________________fabregas_________
    ____chamakh_____________v persie______________arshavin________

    subs
    fibianski
    nordviet
    gibbs
    eboue
    diaby
    walcott
    bendtner

  14. _ says:

    I don’t think Shchesny is ready to be in the starting XI

  15. Blowdy says:

    This squad can win Champions League.

    _______________Almunia (Shay Given???)______________

    ___sagna_____koscienly_______vermaelan_____clichy___

    _______________________song_______________________

    ____________nasri________________fabregas__________

    _____RVP______________chamakh_____________arshavin_____

    Subs
    Walcott
    Wilshere (Bendtner if healthy)
    Diaby
    Eboue
    Rosicky
    Djourou
    Mannone

  16. R-Hops says:

    V. Mannone

    G. Clichy
    T. Vermaelen
    L. Koscielny
    B. Sagna

    S. Nasri
    C. Fabregas
    A. Diaby
    A. Arshavin

    R. Van Persie
    M. Chamakh

    Subs

    M. Almunia
    K. Gibbs
    E. Eboue
    T. Walcott
    A. Song
    J. Emmanuel Thomas
    N. Bendtner

  17. Wayne Rooney says:

    I think at home they will play a similar formation to Barca, 4-1-2-3

    ————Almunia————-
    Sagna Koscienly Vermaelan Clichy
    ————-Song————–
    ———Nasri Fabregas——–
    —V Persie Chamakh Arshavin—

    while away it will be 4-2-3-1

    ————Almunia————-
    Sagna Koscienly Vermaelan Clichy
    ———-Song Diaby————
    —–Nasri Fabregas Arshavin—–
    ———–V Persie————–

    Either way, not a bad looking team, although they really do need to get more defenders and maybe a keeper that’s any good.

  18. Haywood says:

    What an English team LOL

  19. dom says:

    I do not rate Koscienly at all. He was woeful against Barnet and so i’d rather have Djourou or even Nordveit. Ideally i’d like Wenger to sign one more CB (someone like Cahill or Jagielka) but more importantly I think Arsenal need to sign a new defensive coach. Tactically Arsenal always look dodgy defensively and this is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Although some point at how flair players like Cesc, Nasri, RVP, etc do not track back enough, I personally believe that if Arsenal sign Alex McCleish from Birmingham we could really tighten up our defense (this is just theoretical as I doubt he would be happy just being a defensive coach).

  20. Bill says:

    ———————Almunia/(New Signing)————————
    —-Sagna—–Kosc/Song—– Verma— Clichy/Gibbs—
    ———————-Diaby—————————
    ———Nasri/Walcott——–Fabregas———-Arshavin——
    —————Chamakh———-Van Persie————

  21. Yoiii says:

    Almunia (or a blessing from heavens)

    Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Clichy

    Song

    Fabregas Wilshere

    Nasri Arshavin

    V. Persie

  22. Yoiii says:

    —————Almunia (or a blessing from heavens)—–

    —Sagna—-Djourou —-Vermaelen —-Clichy

    ——————-Song———————

    ———–Fabregas——Wilshere———-
    Nasri———————————Arshavin
    —————-V. Persie——————

  23. jenny says:

    Given/hart
    Sagna djoruo verm clichy
    Song rosiscky fabregas
    Arshavin rvp nasri

  24. arron says:

    –Jay EmmanuelThomas–. GK ugly and scares the attackers
    —–Eboue—–djourou—– vermaelen—- gibbs
    —–song—–
    ——— fabregas ——— diaby——-
    van persie–arshavin
    —-chamakh—

  25. Sam says:

    G.k-Almunia
    L.B.-Sagna
    C.B.-Gallas and Clichy
    R.B.-Gibbs
    L.M.-Arshavin
    C.M.-Fabregas,Song
    R.M.-Nasri
    C.F.-Robin Van Persie
    This is the best line up

  26. Brian says:

    –Almunia (or New signing -Never Fabianski!!!)–
    Sanga ——- Kos —— Veramelen —— Clichy
    ———————Song———————–
    Nasri ————– Fabregas ———-Arshavin
    ———–Van Persie ————————–
    ————————Chamakh—————–

    Subs:
    Walcott (Game Changer, his speed vs. tired defense)
    Bendtner (Physical,I still think he will get better)
    Eboue (Speed, Crossing, Veteran)
    Gibbs (Future LB)
    Wilshere (Rosicky)
    Diaby (Maybe Ramsey When healthy)
    Mannone

    Subs for Subs???
    Frimpong
    Vela
    Denilson
    Djourou (Moves Up when fully fit)
    Nordveit (Wenger needs to give him a chance)
    Emmanuel-Thomas
    Traore
    Barazite (if not loaned)

  27. paul says:

    Casillas
    Sagna-Koscielny-Vermaelen-Clichy
    Song
    Nasri-Fabregas-Arshavin
    Van Persie-Chamakh

    Goalkeeping is hopeful, I admit

  28. theres only one John Tierney says:

    —–Almunia/new signing—–
    -Sagna-Koscielny-Vermaelen-Clichy
    ———–Song—————
    —-Nasri–Fabregas–Arshavin-
    ———-Van Persie———-
    ——–Chamakh—————

    Bench:
    Szczney
    Gibbs
    Diaby
    Rosicky
    Bendtner
    Djourou/New Signing
    Walcott

  29. GoonerJake says:

    GIVEN

    Sagna-Vermaelen-Koscielny-Clichy

    Song
    Fabregas
    Nasri

    Arshavin
    Van Persie
    Chamackh

  30. SiMamu says:

    ————SCHWARZER
    Eboue-Koscielny-Vermaelen-Gibbs
    ————–Song
    Nasri——-Fabregas—-Rosicky
    ————Arshavin
    ———–Van Persie

    Rosicky is our best crosser and eboue and gibbs are better crossers than the french duo.

  31. […] What is Arsenal’s best XI for 2010-11? […]

  32. mario says:

    SUBS:almunia,squallici,eboue,diaby,rosisky,chamakh

    Fabianski

    sagna vermaelen koscielny clichy

    fabregas(c) song nasri

    walcott van persie arshavin

  33. Dennis says:

    All you people that have the gay moroccan over Robin van Persie as the striker are ridiculous and idiotic! I mean seriously people, do you not know who Robin van Persie means to Arsenal? He is the blood and the best player on the team by miles. Without van Persie we lack creativity in the final 3rd and a moment of magic! What does Chamackh do? yes he can hold up the ball well but what else? cant finish, no left foot, doesn’t the possess the “final ball” ability and his ball skills are average at best. Robin van Persie is the most complete forward in the world and im sure we Arsenal fans will see that this season!

  34. Kiran Chahal says:

    ______________________________L.Fabianski_______________________________

    B.Sagna____________Koscielny______________T.Vermaelen___________G.Clichy

    _________________________Song_________J.Wilshere________________________

    _____________________________C.Fabregas_________________________________

    S.Nasri_____________________________________________________A.Arshavin

    _____________________________R.van Persie_____________________________

  35. Kiran Chahal says:

    ______________________________L.Fabianski_______________________________

    B.Sagna____________Koscielny______________T.Vermaelen___________G.Clichy

    _________________________Song_________J.Wilshere________________________

    _____________________________Cesc.Fabregas_________________________________

    S.Nasri_____________________________________________________A.Arshavin

    _____________________________R.van Persie_____________________________

  36. Yeah buddy says:

    Wojciech Szczęsny

    Bacary Sagna Chris Samba Laurent Koscielny Thomas Vermaelen
    Alex Song Jack Wilshere
    Marvin Martin
    Theo Walcott Andre Ayew
    Robin Van Persie

  37. Sam says:

    2011-2012
    Squad

    Almunia (All GK’s Are Bad But Is The Most Experience, Amazing At Saving Peno’s & Had Match Winning Performances Against Teams Like Man U In Champos League)

    Gibbs (Will Get Better, But Perfect Replacement For Clichy)
    Vermaelen (Best CB, One Of First Names On Team Sheet)
    Koscienly (Not The Best Player, But Had Some Good Performances)
    Sagna (On Of The Best Defender’s In The World)

    Nasri (Best Player Behind Van Persie)
    Song (Rather Play Others But Need His Defensive Play)
    Wilshere (One Of The Best Players In The World)
    Walcott (Game Changer, Amazing Pace, Incredible)

    Arshavin (Play Him Back Upfront So He Needs To Get Back Less & Can Drift & Can Be Compared As One Of The Best In World)

    Van Persie (Best Player At Arsenal, Simple)

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