15 Aug 2026 10:52:57
Let's mix things up a little from the transfer talk and discuss how this team that Carrick is building might actually look/play on a regular basis.
For example, lots of us (myself included) feel we need another midfielder, but who should be out starting midfield and why?
I get that it's a squad game, but ultimately a regular first 11 always emerges with them playing 80-90% of the time (certainly in the meaningful games when available).
So we currently have Mainoo, Tielemans, Santos, and Mount (technically we have Ugarte but he will be out for most of the season).
For me the only one I think will be almost nailed on to start regularly is Andrey Santos. Which given that Tielemans is such a big signing for us and Mainoo is our star midfielder might seem a little odd. Yet for me he is the one who has a totally unique skillset that cannot be replicated or covered for by the the others.
He alone is a natural No.6, a defensive midfielder who can shield the back four and play out consistently from the back. He is also the only one who you can't question his mobility and work rate. Without him I think every other possible combination looks a little lightweight, and lacking natural defensive awareness.
Which means our midfield will likely depend on who we pair with him, will it be Mainoo or Tielemans.
Obviously both will play, but who will start more often than not?
Most of us who want another midfielder signed also wanted Mainoo to be starting more last season. Yet even without another signing it looks like Mainoo will face a tougher fight for first team football this season.
Personally I'm torn, I want to see Mainoo play, but I know that right now Tielemans is the better player of the two, and why sign a 29 year old in their peak only to bench them for a 21 year old. Also is it sensible to have a midfield made up of a 22 and 21 year old, especially if we are likely to have at least one 20/19 year old at CB behind them. That's a real lack of experience right through the spine (especially when you consider that Lammens only has one season of top level league experience, and Sesko is going to be the starting striker).
So who do you think will be the regular starting midfield duo, and why?
15 Aug 2026 12:44:28
Good question. Mainoo is no doubt talented, he really, really needs to increase his defensive output, he's bottom 40% for duels won and possession won. He's bottom 20% for progressive passes completed.
You would imagine it will be Santos and one of Tielemans or Mainoo, depending on the opposition.
Santos and Tielemans are much more balanced, and we are, however, lacking a left-footed midfielder.
I like the idea of Lewis-Skelly coming in, he's got everything we need. I'm not sure the club will spend that kind of money though.
15 Aug 2026 13:13:27
The advantage of Lewis-Skelly would be he kills two birds with one stone, covering both midfield and left-back.
But, he'd be an expensive addition to be a modern-day John O'Shea.
15 Aug 2026 14:05:57
Only 3 Arsenal players started 80% of their games last season.
Most players don't start more than 40 games a season.