Arsenal get their season underway today in the Community Shield against Manchester City, but boss Mikel Arteta already has been dealt several blows before the campaign has even begun. The north London outfit are playing at Wembley as a result of their second-placed Premier League finish last year, having been pipped by City who also won the FA Cup to take both spots in the curtain-raiser. But with several selection dilemmas for Arteta to ponder at full-back, midfield and at the top of the pitch, Express Sport has looked at Arsenal’s potential line-up to face City.
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
There has been plenty of debate over the goalkeeper position at Arsenal in recent weeks, but Aaron Ramsdale will play at Wembley barring any injury. The England stopper was the undisputed number one last season, but the Gunners have attempted to bring Brentford’s David Raya to the Emirates.
Having launched a first bid of £23million they remain in negotiations for the Spain international who is seen as competition for Ramsdale, which will be one to keep an eye on during the season, but Ramsdale will begin the season with the number one shirt.
Defence: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber
With Oleksandr Zinchenko ruled out through injury, Arteta will have to decide between Jurrien Timber, Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior at left-back. The new £38m signing has been deployed on the left throughout pre-season, offering the same inverted role that the Ukrainian was so successful with last season.
William Saliba and Gabriel were the bedrock of Arsenal’s strong defence last season and will hope they can eradicate their slide in the second half of the year – but alongside Ben White and a strong defender in Timber, the Arsenal back four will feel confident that if anyone can, they are able to keep Erling Haaland at bay.
Midfield: Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice
Declan Rice is Arsenal’s new record signing after a £105m move from West Ham and will go straight into the team to face City alongside captain Martin Odegaard. With Granit Xhaka departing for Bayer Leverkusen, Kai Havertz has been earmarked to fill his role on the left of midfield, a position he has been utilised in during pre-season.
However, against the recent treble winners, Arteta may opt for a more pragmatic approach and use Thomas Partey alongside Rice in order to keep City at bay – after the partnership was tried in Arsenal’s final pre-season game. It could allow Arteta to offer Rice more protection, though Havertz would offer the opportunity to play more vertically, surely Arteta’s most difficult decision to make.
Attack: Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Jesus is set to miss the start of the season after undergoing minor surgery on his knee, following an injury in the same area that kept the Brazilian out for a significant portion of his first season at the club. With the Brazilian absent, the likely replacements for Arteta are Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Folarin Balogun and Havertz.
All offer a different skillset but after getting the nod in the Gunners’ final friendly against Monaco and even being handed the armband, he clearly has the backing of Arteta. He deputised ably in Jesus’ absence last season and could get the chance once again at Wembley.