Arsenal vs Stoke City: Sead Kolasinac must be used properly

Arsenal will be looking to follow up the thriller on opening day by delivering a wholesome performance at Stoke and Sead Kolasinac holds the key.

It’s safe to say that Sead Kolasinac is turning a lot of heads. Not sure why that is, as he was in then Bundesliga team of the year for his fantastic work with Schalke, but you know how Arsenal fans can be. Because you probably are one.

Even Arsene Wenger didn’t expect Kolasinac to catch on as quickly as he did, as he didn’t even have him out there against Chelsea. He had to come on when Per Mertesacker took a Cahill-sized elbow to his eye socket.

And that’s when Kolasinac took off. He became a hero in one fell swoop and kept it going into the opener against Leicester City, tackling with tenacity and reminding us just how much tact was beneath that tank. He is an intelligent passer and crosser that is helped immensely by his never-say-die mentality.

Against Stoke City, that is going to be crucial, but it all depends on where he is used. I have been adamant that he be used as a wing back on that left hand side, like he was against Schalke, and Stoke City give us so many reasons to deploy him there.

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For starters, that is Xherdan Shaqiri’s side. It is crucial that we frustrate him and shut him down before he can gain hold of any momentum. And the most non-nonsense, in-your-face defender that we currently have just so happens to be Sead Kolasinac.

Not just that, but once he has shut down the Swiss winger and looks to move forward, he will only have to contend with Mame Biram Diouf, a predominantly offensive wingback who can easily be overpowered by a man with the strength and determination of Kolasinac.

If you can own an entire side of the pitch, you are setting yourself up for a good day on the pitch. And seeing as how Danny Welbeck will also be on this side on the attacking end of things, there is effort and athleticism aplenty to accomplish that very task.

Kolasinac would be effective even if used as a left-sided center back, but that robs him of the freedom to come and go as he pleases, which is a huge part of what set up his fantastic, breakthrough season in the Bundesliga.

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He will be out there no matter what, and he will have a huge impact no matter what. I just figure using a player in the best possible capacity is the best idea available.