El Arsenal es mundialmente conocido como los ‘Gunners’, que en castellano se traduce como los artilleros o cañoneros. El apodo viene por la fábrica de armas Royal Arsenal de Woolwich donde trabajaban sus fundadores y que queda reflejado en su escudo. Sin embargo, justamente es de lo que adolece ahora mismo el equipo de Mikel Arteta.
El club londinense llegará a la cita de cuartos de final contra el Real Madrid sin ninguno de los dos delanteros centros puros. Ni Kai Havertz ni Gabriel Jesús estarán disponibles. Ambos son baja para lo que resta de temporada. El alemán, por una lesión en los isquiotibiales. El brasileño, por una rotura de ligamentos de la rodilla. Especialmente dolorosa ha sido la pérdida de Havertz, que lleva 13 goles en todas las competiciones, siendo todavía el máximo goleador del equipo esta temporada.
No es una situación nueva para el Arsenal. Lleva lidiando con ella ya un tiempo, por lo que ha tenido tiempo de sobra para establecer un estilo alternativo de cara al doble enfrentamiento con el Real Madrid. En cualquier caso, hay varias opciones por las que Arteta puede optar, sobre todo ahora que vuelve tras una larga lesión uno de sus pilares, Bukayo Saka, curiosamente el segundo máximo artillero, con 10 tantos, pese a todo el tiempo que lleva sin jugar.
Arteta destacó la admiración y el respeto del entorno ‘gunner’ hacia Saka
La opción lógica: Merino en punta
Ante la falta de una referencia clara en punta, Arteta se ha inventado el poner de ‘falso 9’ a Mikel Merino, un recurso que le está saliendo bien. Apenas ha actuado siete partidos en ese rol, pero le ha valido para anotar tres tantos, siendo el máximo realizador del equipo en este periodo. “Le estoy cogiendo el gusto (a jugar de 9). Me estoy adaptando a ser delantero, me gusta el contacto, nunca me doy por vencido”, aseguró recientemente en ‘The Guardian’. Y más recientemente en MARCA: “Yo intento ahora ser una amenaza en el área y entender dónde debo estar según por dónde venga el balón”. Sus números en esa posición le han situado entre los mejores en la demarcación de delantero.
Rendimiento como delantero de Mikel Merino
En este sentido, el once más normal sería con el internacional español en punta, apoyado en los flancos por Trossard y Saka. La vuelta del internacional inglés perjudica a Nwaneri. La joven perla podría ser el sacrificado de empezar Saka de inicio, aunque, viendo su gran momento de forma, existe la posibilidad de que pase al costado izquierdo en lugar de Trossard, si bien es una opción más remota ya que apenas ha actuado ahí. Otra posibilidad es que entre Martinelli por Trossard.
Posible once del Arsenal con Merino arriba
La alternativa: Trossard arriba
Otra opción sería poner de ‘falso 9’ a Trossard. El belga ya ha actuado ahí esta temporada. Merino sería el sacrificado y daría opciones a Gabriel Martinelli para ocupar la banda izquierda. El resto del equipo sería el mismo, con las posibles variaciones en función de si Saka es o no de la partida. Menos probable, dado el buen momento de forma goleador de Merino.
Posible once del Arsenal con Trossard arriba
La opción ‘random’: doble punta
Es muy complicado ver esta opción puesto que Arteta es muy fiel al 4-3-3. Sería establecer un 4-4-2 para darle más empaque al medio del campo. Pero basta con un pequeño ‘ataque de entrenador’ viendo el rival que tiene enfrente para probar algo distinto. Y no tan distinto, porque alguna vez lo ha usado esta temporada y contra oponentes de la talla del Liverpool, PSG, Inter o Manchester City, si bien es cierto que no lo usa desde hace varios meses.
Este fue el once que empleó ante el City a principio de temporada usando el 4-4-2.
Once del Arsenal contra el City
Si opta por esta alternativa, sería un once muy parecido, con tres salvedades: las ausencias de Calafiori y Havertz por lesión, que ocuparían Lewis-Skelly y Merino, respectivamente, y la entrada de Odegaard, que sacaría a Martinelli y desplazaría a Rice.
Por lo tanto, el cambio de sistema provocaría que Saka pasaría a la línea del medio del campo y Rice pasaría de interior izquierdo a extremo. Trossard y Merino serían los delanteros.
Posible once del Arsenal con doble punta
Sea cual sea la opción por la que apueste Arteta, es evidente que le falta algo de gol, un elemento necesario cuando quieres eliminar de la Champions al rey de la competición y actual campeón. No en vano, sólo el Aston Villa ha metido menos goles en todas las competiciones esta temporada que el Arsenal de los ocho cuartofinalistas. Los ‘Gunners’ suman 81 dianas en 41 encuentros, prácticamente una media de dos por partido. Son 38 menos que el Real Madrid.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Stars of the future! Who can emulate Alcaraz and Sinner at Next Gen ATP Finals?
The Next Gen ATP Finals is set with stars Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx ready to compete at the 20-and-under event from 17-21 December in Jeddah - live on Sky Sports.Tien and Blockx will be joined by Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy, Rafael Jodar and Justin Engel at the tournament held at the King Abdullah Sports City. World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both former winners, while Joao Fonseca lifted the title in 2024 but the Brazilian - who won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 - is out of the event due to injury. Who are the players competing in Jeddah? Learner Tien - Captured maiden ATP Tour crown in MetzAlexander Blockx - Lifted two Challenger trophies this yearDino Prizmic - Won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025Martin Landaluce - Triumphed at […]
Cowboys playoff bid in tatters after McCarthy leads Vikings to win
JJ McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as Minnesota Vikings severely damaged Dallas' playoff hopes with a 34-26 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night.The Vikings (6-8) won a second consecutive game after they were eliminated from the postseason playoff race before the kick-off. Minnesota was a 14-win playoff qualifier a year ago. The Cowboys (6-7-1) have to win their three remaining games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia goes 0-3 in order for Dallas to overtake the Eagles in the NFC East. It was a second straight loss for Dallas after getting over .500 for the first time this season. "It's just a thing to keep building on the rest of the way and leading into next year," said Minnesota receiver Jalen Nailor, who caught both of McCarthy's TD passes. "We just have a one-game […]
Krejčí v NBA nastřílel 19 bodů a pomohl Atlantě k vítězství
KomentářeGLOSA: Nášup od Švédů nic neřeší, Rulík už moc dobře tuší, kdo do Milána poletíPřed měsícem se po dvou porážkách končilo vítězstvím, které rozpačitý dojem z finského turnaje lehce vyhladilo, teď pro změnu po dvou výhrách závěr zkalila porážka 0:5. Dokonce nejvyšší za vlády Radima Rulíka na střídačce hokejové reprezentace, což vzhledem k tomu, že měly Švýcarské hry punc generálky na olympiádu, může působit jako rázná facka. Ve skutečnosti ale jakýkoliv vliv na únorový Milán mít nebude, stejně jako by to platilo v případě českého triumfu na celé akci. Proč? Hry za dva měsíce proti sobě postaví z velké části odlišné týmy s jinými lídry a v jiných pozicích.Včera 20:18
Tongue replaces Atkinson in only England change for crucial third Ashes Test
England have made one change to their line-up for the crucial third Ashes Test, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson for the side's must-win Adelaide match .That means Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks retains his place as the designated spinner, with no place again for Shoaib Bashir. Atkinson has been dropped after managing just three wickets at 78.66, with seamer Tongue returning to the line-up. He was England's top wicket-taker against India in the summer and took five in his only previous Ashes Test at Lord's in 2023, when he dismissed Steve Smith in each innings. England team for third Ashes Test Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue Brendon McCullum's side are 2-0 down in the five-match series against Australia after slumping to eight-wicket […]
‘I fell asleep!’ – Bunting says fans got him through thrilling first-round win
Stephen Bunting says he "fell asleep" to give Poland's Sebastian Bialecki an opportunity to knock him out of the first round at the World Darts Championship.Bialecki was on the verge of the biggest shock yet at this year's tournament as he roared back from 2-0 down to send the match to a deciding set and led 2-1 in the final set. However, world No 4 Bunting reeled off three legs in a row to avoid a major surprise but admits he "maybe thought the game was over" after dominating the opening two sets. "That was not the plan. I felt comfortable. For whatever reason, I fell asleep and to go behind in the match was a travesty, to be honest," said Bunting, who reached the semi-finals of the World Championship last year."I felt a bit worthless, but I'm happy to […]
Wardley would welcome all-British title fight against Joshua
Fabio Wardley says he would "happily welcome" an all-British fight for the WBO heavyweight belt with Anthony Joshua as he ponders his first title defence.Wardley was elevated to WBO champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt when opting against defending it against the unbeaten 30 year old. Wardley earned the WBO interim title and a shot at Usyk after a stunning 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker at The O2 in October. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Joseph Parker’s heavyweight clash with Fabio Wardley at The O2 arena. (Credit: DAZN) When asked whether two-time heavyweight champion Joshua would interest him for his first title defence, slated for early 2026, Wardley jumped at the prospect."It would be a fight I'd take and I'd happily welcome," the Ipswich-born fighter told Sky Sports, in an interview conducted before […]
Related
Stars of the future! Who can emulate Alcaraz and Sinner at Next Gen ATP Finals?
The Next Gen ATP Finals is set with stars Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx ready to compete at the 20-and-under event from 17-21 December in Jeddah - live on Sky Sports.Tien and Blockx will be joined by Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy, Rafael Jodar and Justin Engel at the tournament held at the King Abdullah Sports City. World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both former winners, while Joao Fonseca lifted the title in 2024 but the Brazilian - who won two ATP Tour titles in 2025 - is out of the event due to injury. Who are the players competing in Jeddah? Learner Tien - Captured maiden ATP Tour crown in MetzAlexander Blockx - Lifted two Challenger trophies this yearDino Prizmic - Won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025Martin Landaluce - Triumphed at […]
Cowboys playoff bid in tatters after McCarthy leads Vikings to win
JJ McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as Minnesota Vikings severely damaged Dallas' playoff hopes with a 34-26 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night.The Vikings (6-8) won a second consecutive game after they were eliminated from the postseason playoff race before the kick-off. Minnesota was a 14-win playoff qualifier a year ago. The Cowboys (6-7-1) have to win their three remaining games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia goes 0-3 in order for Dallas to overtake the Eagles in the NFC East. It was a second straight loss for Dallas after getting over .500 for the first time this season. "It's just a thing to keep building on the rest of the way and leading into next year," said Minnesota receiver Jalen Nailor, who caught both of McCarthy's TD passes. "We just have a one-game […]
Krejčí v NBA nastřílel 19 bodů a pomohl Atlantě k vítězství
KomentářeGLOSA: Nášup od Švédů nic neřeší, Rulík už moc dobře tuší, kdo do Milána poletíPřed měsícem se po dvou porážkách končilo vítězstvím, které rozpačitý dojem z finského turnaje lehce vyhladilo, teď pro změnu po dvou výhrách závěr zkalila porážka 0:5. Dokonce nejvyšší za vlády Radima Rulíka na střídačce hokejové reprezentace, což vzhledem k tomu, že měly Švýcarské hry punc generálky na olympiádu, může působit jako rázná facka. Ve skutečnosti ale jakýkoliv vliv na únorový Milán mít nebude, stejně jako by to platilo v případě českého triumfu na celé akci. Proč? Hry za dva měsíce proti sobě postaví z velké části odlišné týmy s jinými lídry a v jiných pozicích.Včera 20:18
Tongue replaces Atkinson in only England change for crucial third Ashes Test
England have made one change to their line-up for the crucial third Ashes Test, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson for the side's must-win Adelaide match .That means Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks retains his place as the designated spinner, with no place again for Shoaib Bashir. Atkinson has been dropped after managing just three wickets at 78.66, with seamer Tongue returning to the line-up. He was England's top wicket-taker against India in the summer and took five in his only previous Ashes Test at Lord's in 2023, when he dismissed Steve Smith in each innings. England team for third Ashes Test Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue Brendon McCullum's side are 2-0 down in the five-match series against Australia after slumping to eight-wicket […]
‘I fell asleep!’ – Bunting says fans got him through thrilling first-round win
Stephen Bunting says he "fell asleep" to give Poland's Sebastian Bialecki an opportunity to knock him out of the first round at the World Darts Championship.Bialecki was on the verge of the biggest shock yet at this year's tournament as he roared back from 2-0 down to send the match to a deciding set and led 2-1 in the final set. However, world No 4 Bunting reeled off three legs in a row to avoid a major surprise but admits he "maybe thought the game was over" after dominating the opening two sets. "That was not the plan. I felt comfortable. For whatever reason, I fell asleep and to go behind in the match was a travesty, to be honest," said Bunting, who reached the semi-finals of the World Championship last year."I felt a bit worthless, but I'm happy to […]
Plumpton, Lingfield and Wolverhampton feature on Monday
Adonedeal will look to maintain his perfect record when he takes to the track for Plumpton's feature contest at 12.30pm.12.30 Plumpton - Adonedeal bids to remain unbeatenThe opener at Plumpton on Monday sees seven go to post for the Royal Arch Racing Novices' Hurdle, in which Olly Murphy's Adonedeal will bid to remain unbeaten. Having won his only point-to-point start, the five-year-old got off the mark on stable and hurdles debut last month with a comfortable five-length success at Southwell. Champion jockey Sean Bowen replaces Gavin Sheehan in the plate. Having had three runs on the Flat, Neil Mulholland sent his four-year-old Deferred Interest over hurdles for the first time at Ludlow 21 days ago, but he was comfortably beaten into eighth that day. However, the trainer has a 36 per cent strike rate at Plumpton so far this season […]
Be the first to leave a comment