After surpassing many expectations last season, Arsenal led the English Premier League for much of the season before Manchester City’s treble-winning machine took over towards the back end of the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been active in the transfer market so far this summer and are looking to further strengthen their starting XI in search of their first EPL title in 20 years.
Kai Havertz has already signed, with Jurrien Timber recently announced. Declan Rice was also confirmed as an Arsenal player on Saturday.
Assuming that they persist with the same 4-3-3 formation as last year, here is how they could line up come the beginning of the season.
Defence
Arsenal have plenty of versatile options in defence, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale nailed on to start between the sticks for them this season. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes cemented themselves as one of the best young defensive pairings in the league and will be picked every week in central defence providing that they’re fit.
The changes are likely to occur in the full back roles – new signing Timber is comfortable across the back four and could be a threat for Ben White’s right back position, especially due to his ability to drop into midfield in the same way that Oleksandr Zinchenko did for much of last season. White spent most of his career in central defence before last season, so can easily slot into Saliba’s right sided centre back role if needed.
Jakub Kiwior started at left back against Nurnberg on Thursday and spent much of the match in midfield in a similar fashion to Zinchenko, but also provides cover for Gabriel, on the left side of defence much like Ben White with Saliba. Zinchenko will still be first choice, but Kiwior offers defensive solidity that the Ukrainian cannot.
Midfield
With long-time servant Granit Xhaka departing, Arsenal have been proactive in the transfer window with Declan Rice signing from West Ham United for £105m. Rice can play both at the base of midfield in Thomas Partey’s position or as one of the more advanced midfielders – in tougher matches it can be expected to see Mikel Arteta field both players in order to find more defensive stability, and to rotate the two in the more winnable fixtures.
Kai Havertz looks likely to take Xhaka’s left sided midfield spot in matches where The Gunners can afford a more attacking lineup, but the German is versatile enough to rotate in with captain Martin Odegaard as well as across the front three.
Attack
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli all hit 10+ goals in the league last season, and will only get better with more time under their belts. However with a heavier fixture list due to UEFA Champions League football, the likes of Reiss Nelson, Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah will all be expected to rotate into the side on both wings and up top.
As mentioned previously, Havertz can cover a number of positions across the team and will provide a different set of attributes to Arsenal’s starting trio – it will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta goes about shaping a title charge this season.
Arsenal’s Predicted XI for the Community Shield against Manchester City:
(4-3-3) Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
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