Arsenal Fan View: Östersunds victory starts a big week for Gunners

Arsenal earned a rare comfortable victory in a European knockout competition last night in Sweden, and here are the main talking points for the upcoming week for the Gunners:

Wenger’s seriousness growing in Europa

There was little surprise when Arsene Wenger saw off the group stages of the Europa League without actually using any of his first team. What is surprising was the complete influx of six first-teamers into the side against Östersunds.

While Dabby Welbeck was expected to start due to the absence of Alexandre Lacazette, the involvement of both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil wasn’t. Both play-makers made the side and also made sure the tie lasted no longer than the first half.

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This was clearly a sign of seriousness from Wenger and an admission that victory in the competition might be his best way to the Champions League. With the current Premier League situation, his team is probably better off finding their motivations and form here, too.

The cup-tying of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may prove to be a blessing in disguise, forcing Wenger to play a stronger side throughout the knockout stage and using his new striker only in the Premier League. Perhaps that way he can salvage something from this season after all.

Monreal’s goal glut shows his class

The greatest goalscorers in the game agree on one thing: goals are like ketchup – you keep pushing and then they come in a continuous flow. For Arsenal’s latest goal machine, it couldn’t be more true.

Nacho Monreal has had an amazing season until now, with a side having a rather poor one. Having scored five in 195 games before, he now has three goals in his last six. For a left-back who often plays as centre-half, that’s seriously impressive.

What is more impressive is that all those goals have come on the road, where Arsenal haven’t exactly been fantastic. The Spaniard’s raids down the left flank are reminiscent of Marcelo for Real Madrid, aiding Mkhitaryan in his adaptation as well.

Saed Kolasinac is probably the only one who gets the wrong end of this deal, but at least Arsenal can boast of having a very decent option for their new top striker on the bench.

Ramsey is a bigger miss than Lacazette

Speaking of getting the wrong end of deals, poor Lacazette is surely another guy suffering right now. The arrival of Aubameyang has apparently “dampened his confidence”, but it may be more to do with the injury he was carrying beforehand.

His absence is particularly damning in the Europa League, with the aforementioned Gabon striker ineligible. However, it is Aaron Ramsey that this side is missing more.

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The bite Ramsey brings from the midfield is extremely necessary now, with Arsenal deploying both Mkhitaryan and Ozil behind the striker. Most teams are too busy dealing with the front three, so they tend to leave a lot of space for the Welshman to run into.

Wenger should really hope his number eight makes it back for the Carabao Cup final. Manchester City will do well to cover their main threats but Ramsey is always the man for cup finals. Lacazette’s poaching may be missed from the bench, but it will be Rambo’s never-say-die attitude that could be the biggest hole in this side next week.