Key players already out of first League game (Vs Liverpool)

By 1970's Gooner

If we take a look at the Arsenal players involved in the Euro we quickly surmise that Arsenal's key players in defence, midfield and attack will definitely be missing from the opening game against Liverpool (currently set for August 13).

Players such as Ozil, Koscienly, Ramsey, Giroud, Sanchez, and Xhaka are likely to be missing from the starting line up.

And we all know that a winning start to a League campaign is so important for what is to follow.

We have here at 'Arsenal Analysis' looked at the Arsenal players that have been involved or are currently involved in the Euro at France and Coppa America. We have then given to most of them a four week holiday as is the norm under these circumstances as Wenger has done in the past.

Here is a list of the players and the date each departed or is likely to depart from the relevant competition. We then looked at if they can make it to the first team squad and make themselves available for the game on 13th of August.

The first item is the date of last game played. The second the date they return to Arsenal and the third the time left for preseason prior to 1st game.


                       Date of last game     Return to Arsenal     Time left for preseason prior to 1st game

Ospina                   23.6.2016               23.7.2016                    3 wks               Will be ok

Cech                      21.6.2016                21.7.2016                   3 wks 2 days    Wenger may play him

Bellerin                  27.6.2016                27.7.2016                   2 wks 3days    Did not start a game

Koscienly               7.7.2016                  7.8.2016                     3 days!!!         If France lose semi!

Xhaka                     25.6.2016                25.7.2016                   2wks 5 days    Unlikely to be risked?

Ramsey                   7.7.2016                  7.8.2016                     3 days!!!          If Wales lose semi!

Wilshere                  27.6.2016               27.7.2016                   2 wks 3days    Will not be risked?

Sanchez                   26.6.2016                26.7.2016                   2wks 4 days   Will not be risked?

Ozil                          7.7.2016                  7.8.2016                     3 days!!!         If Germany lose semi!

Giroud                      7.7.2016                  7.8.2016                     3 days!!!         If France lose semi!

Campell                   11.6.2016                 11.7.2016                  4 wks 5 days    Will be ok


Other players not involved in tournaments:

Debuchy :Is he coming back?
Jenkinson: Still injured
Monreal: Available
Gibbs:Available
Chambers:Available
BFG:Available
Gabriel:Available
Hayden:Available
Cazorla:Available
Coquelin:Available
Ox: Now back training from long term injury but unlikely to be risked by Wenger
Elneny:Available
Welbeck: Long term injury
Gnarby: Theoretically available. Was very sharp for the Under 21s last season
Walcott:Available
Iwobi: Dissuaded from playing in the Olympic tournament (no wonder)
Apkom:Available
Sanogo: Available?

So there you have it. The key players who are likely to be missing from the first game are Koscienly, Xhaka, Ozil, Giroud, Wilshere, Ramsey and Sanchez.

Koscienly, Ozil, Giroud and Ramsey are definitely out. Even if they lose their respective semis and assuming a 4 week holiday they will only have 3 days of training before the first game.

Worse still they will only return in early September!! Can you imagine a line up for the first month of the new league that will be missing these key players?

Surely Wenger will give them a 4 week holiday so as to avoid injuries and burn out later on in the season.

If Wenger fails to sign a new forward then expect Walcott to be our main striker! Surely Wenger will not let it come to that.

Sanchez will have had 2 weeks and 4 days of pre season. But looking at what happened to his hamstring last season when he returned from the Coppa Wenger is unlikely to make the same mistake and rush him back. 

The same applies for Wilshere for obvious reasons. Wenger will take it easy with him.

Xhaka with a 2 weeks and 5 days of preseason will pose a dilemma for Wenger, but I think he will not risk him, not for the first game.

The players that featured with their national teams but are likely to start are Cech and Bellerin.

So here is the probable line up against Liverpool assuming of course that any new signings (if there will be any) will not be ready by the 13th of August.

Cech

Bellerin  Gabriel  BFG  Monreal

Elneny Coquelin

Campel Cazorla Iwobi

Walcott


It looks really weak to me which makes it imperative for Wenger to sign that forward and defender as soon as possible so that they can be utilised during this early period in the league when most needed.

Otherwise we may be playing catch up form as early as August!!!