Who Should Start in Arteta's Attack

Arteta took Arsenal to Elland Road to take on a lacklustre Leeds and the Gunners attack absolutely pillaged Bielsa’s boys. However, with Smith-Rowe returning from injury and regaining his amazing form, who does Arteta choose to spearhead the Arsenal attack?

Emile Smith-Rowe:

Before his injury, the Smith had 5 goals and 2 assists in 14 appearances – a goal contribution every 2 games. Since returning against Southampton, the Hale End graduate has seemingly scored for fun off the bench, bagging twice in 33 minutes. With an equal highest 0.4 goals per match out of all of the attacking options, Smith-Rowe must surely be included in the starting line-up. His dynamic nature in the way that he can play both a CAM and LM role only add to his case.

Bukayo Saka:

Saka has had a slightly quieter season but there are few people that can play the RM role like he can. 3 goals and 4 assists may not be the most impressive stat line in 18 games, however the way he picks up the ball and runs at defences causes many problems and contributes greatly to the Arsenal attack. If he were in contention for the LM role then he’d fall further down the list, however, as a RM he is the first choice.

Martin Odegaard:

Now he has only recently broken into the starting line-up consistently, yes, but he has made an instant impact. Despite an early season drought, he has contributed 4 goals and 1 assist in 5 games and doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon, pulling the strings against Leeds with an Ozil-esque assist. In terms of the CAM role, Odegaard is best suited due to his passing ability, however, Smith-Rowe is possibly better suited to the LM role as it plays into his strength of dribbling.

Gabriel Martinelli:

What’s not there to love about this guy. Failed to make an impact early in the season but look at him go right now. The Brazilian scored the first brace of his Premier League career at MartinElland Road, making it 6 goal contributions (4 goals, 2 assists) in just as many games. All he needs is another top performance against Norwich and the December Player of the Month award is his. Do we play him LM? Do we play him CF? Do we play him ST? I don’t know, but one thing is for sure: he is too good to drop at the moment.

Alexandre Lacazette:

4 goal contributions in 13 appearances isn’t the best, but off only 8 starts Lacazette hasn’t done too badly. He is vital in the link up play of the Arsenal attack, especially in the Arteta system and is clinical in the box. In terms of STs, he must be the first choice.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang:

Having recently fallen out of favour with Arteta and being stripped of his captaincy, Aubameyang doesn’t seem to be starting any time soon. Even with 4 goals in 14 games, his lacklustre ability in front of goal knocks him further down the list. A total of 6 big chances missed (twice as many taken) is not what you want to see from a ST.

Nicolas Pepe:

1 assist out of 8 appearances. Doesn’t look like he is going to find the pitch much this season.

Eddie Nketiah:

3 appearances. That’s all. Not really in contention for a starting point.

Folarin Balogun:

He has barely played in the Premier League but an effective loan spell could see him prosper in the first team. At 20 years old, he is dominating PL2 and could really prove to be a top performer.

If you ask me, in a 4231 formation I'd like to see Emile Smith-Rowe at LM, Martin Odegaard at CAM, Bukayo Saka at RM and Gabriel Martinelli at ST. Who would you start?