What is Arsenal’ best possible team as Bellerin and Tierney feature against Forest?

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Following last night’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, Arsenal fans have now seen all but one (Konstantinos Mavropanos remains sidelined) of the first-team in action this season, meaning it is probably a good time to discuss what the Gunners’ best team is going forwards.

Unai Emery has a strong squad of players to choose from, but perhaps the following XI (with a 4-3-3 formation) will be his best bet as Arsenal seek to finish among the Champions League spots.

Goalkeeper

Emery has show great loyalty to Bernd Leno since becoming manager, and the German stopper is undoubtedly Arsenal’s best option for the position. He has made some errors here and there since joining the club, but Leno is largely a great shot stopper.

Defence

The most discussed aspect of the Arsenal team.

The Gunners must revamp their backline from here, with David Luiz and Sokratis having shown themselves to be far too rash so far. The pair lack pace and are prone to mistakes, and should be replaced by the fit-again Rob Holding, and Calum Chambers. The English duo have more poise, and calm is precisely what panicky Arsenal need.

Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney should obviously be Emery’s main full-backs. New signing Tierney really impressed against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (his crossing being a particular positive) and is surely in line to replace Sead Kolasinac, while Bellerin is a clear upgrade on Ainsley Maitland-Niles who has, of course, been playing out of position.

Midfield

Granit Xhaka has had ample opprtunity to improve but is still making mistakes, meaning Emery should select Lucas Torreira alongside Matteo Guendouzi at holding midfield. The tenacious Uruguayan is more mobile which will surely be more beneficial for the Gunners.

Dani Ceballos has shown he has the class to make things happen in the final third, and should get the nod over Mesut Ozil as the advanced midfielder/number 10, with the German’s influence is no longer as grand at the Emirates.

Attack

Emery’s attack cannot be anything other than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the left, Nicolas Pepe from the right and Alexandre Lacazette through the middle.

On paper it is terrifying, and it’s only a matter of time before they’re all clicking together.

Lacazette is obviously injured at the moment, but the creative Frenchman is vital for Arsenal and should be playing every possible minute, something Emery hasn’t always afforded him.