Hahahahah jfc let’s try replacing Xhaka with Ramsdale too

Defense. Even as one of the leaders in the league, we still are out of possession 40% of the time.

You want better than Trossard then

Lacks the pressing and physical presence that Arteta wants from a player in that position. There is a reason he rarely plays a “lightweight” player there.

If we had a healthy Timber I’d rather give Tomi the time there. Trossard is too good in the attacking front.

Trossard needs to be ahead of Eddie for striker and rotate with Gabi and Saka when Jesus is healthy. Potentially rotate with Jesus as well. Not sure how Trossard would perform in Kai’s position.

Trossard can’t press or stay fit

I seem to recall Arteta trying this in preseason this year. Trossard is great at interchanging and working openings around the top left corner of the box. It’s a good option for matches where Arsenal are on the front foot heavily.

Against bus teams I’d like to see it definitely but in general he lacks the physicality and defending to be put there against better sides.

That’s like replacing Saka or Martinelli with Pete or ESR before defensively. Arteta wants that defensive attributes and balance between attacking and defending. If you take out our lanky German for Trossard, what you get is less energy less control and less potency in attack.

No. I can see the thinking here and Arteta should try this against lower level opposition but Xhaka did a lot more than bomb forward and occupy the left half spaces brilliantly.

He certainly has the technical ability but I think his strengths are ball retention in tight spaces, dribbling and shooting. Our left and right 8’s role is about physicality, progressive passing and late runs into the box to finish off cutbacks

Think we’ve tried it already, both in training and in games. If it worked the way Arteta wants to we would’ve been seeing him there a lot more often

We’ve reached a point where we have a deep enough squad that these discussions are happening more regularly now. The reality is that Trossard is very good and, as fans, we’ll try to force him into the preferred XI in any way we can. We need to settle in to the new normal and understand that rotation is going to happen and should happen if we are to challenge on multiple fronts.

I’ve been calling for this for a while. If Vieira is considered an option in midfield, then Leo should be as well. He has the skills to be very effective in those central areas and he loves to carry the ball from deep, weaving through players, which is something we lack in those areas. Obviously I wouldn’t start him there vs Newcastle or City, but there are a lot of match-ups where he could excell in that position. Contrary to this sub’s belief he’s actually a very competent presser, he ranked third in final third interceptions last season when we bought him.

We’ve already seen him play there a bit last season vs Southampton and in preseason it was his most played position. Recently, because of the Kdb, he’s been starting in midfield for Belgium and has looked really good.

This has “play Vermaelen at DM” vibes