#46 - Four surprise solutions to breaking upcoming deep blocks

Arsenal now have four home games in a row, without Odegaard, I explore four players who could see their playing time increased to help break these down.

Well, that game was an adventure. I contemplated how to delve into that result and all that surrounded it for a while, but I think I need to leave it in the past and focus today’s piece on what’s coming up.

If you want to wallow in the frustrations, head over to my X account!

Overall, I have to say that given the circumstances (three tough away trips in a week, injuries, decisions, extra rest for City etc.) I am delighted with two draws and a win from last week.

I think we’ve navigated it really well and we now get to move into a new section of the season where we will have a chance to play some very different games, which will present completely different challenges!

And it’s those different challenges I will explore further in today’s newsletter.

Arsenal now have a set of four games before the next international break. These are all at home. Bolton (League Cup), Leicester (PL), PSG (CL) and Southampton (PL).

That couldn’t be much more different from the challenges we faced last week.

However, Arsenal will need to find new solutions to some issues they will encounter in these games. Without doubt, a series of low blocks and all will need to be navigated without orchestrator Martin Odegaard and our new box-crashing midfielder Mikel Merino.

So, step forward…

Ethan Nwaneri

It’s time for Ethan to start a senior game for Arsenal. He’s looked ready when called upon from the bench in recent games and the game against Bolton on Wednesday represents the perfect chance to introduce him.

Ethan is Arsenal’s most natural replacement for Odegaard if Mikel wants a like-for-like replacement to help with final balls and goals.

So far Havertz has had to sink a bit deeper and adopt that role, but Arteta will want Havertz in the box to break these low blocks with his aerial threat, so another creator will be needed in that midfield.

If Ethan impresses against Bolton, I see no reason he couldn’t start against Leicester or Southampton in the league.

This is the chance for Ethan to have a Bukayo-like break into the first team and I know he has the quality to reward the managers trust.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Another academy opportunity here. Lewis-Skelly came on to make his debut against Manchester City, highlighting the trust Mikel also has in him.

I think Zinchenko’s injury presents a huge chance for Myles to come in.

I would start him against Bolton to give him that experience around first-team players and then if Arsenal are struggling to break down a Leicester or Southampton, Myles could come in and play that inverted left-back role, contributing in the build-up and allowing our midfielders to push further forward.

I see Lewis-Skelly as a midfielder long-term, but it’s very clear that right now, Arteta views his integration into the team at left-back. Remember Bukayo started his senior team journey from the same position.

Arsenal have both Jorginho and Thomas Partey contracts expiring in the summer and I think if Myles can get some solid minutes in as an inverted left-back this season, he is a candidate to take one of their roles on next season.

Like Nwaneri, the fearlessness of youth could help Arsenal be a bit more unpredictable and daring in their attempts to break these inevitable low blocks.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem has had to wait patiently for his chance. The game-state against Manchester City meant he was an unused sub. His first start surely comes against Bolton and from there, he has a real opportunity to push on.

Arsenal will need freshness and unpredictability in wide areas for this run of four games and Raheem gives you exactly that. His dribbling and close control could be critical in making the difference in these games.

With Havertz now having to start from midfield in Odegaard’s absence and Gabriel Jesus struggling for form and fitness, Raheem could well be utilised in central zones too. I’m really intrigued to see how we use him and I expect him to rack up plenty of minutes over these next couple of weeks.

Jorginho

You may initially raise your eyebrows at this one, but Jorginho’s vertical passing has historically been a very useful tool in breaking low blocks.

Partey has been the player of choice for a lot of these ‘off the ball’ games, but I sense Jorginho will see more game time now Arsenal will be seeing a lot more of the ball.

The Italian is an orchestrator, and in Odegaard’s absence, his ability to read and unpick the game will be very important.