Arteta needs depth throughout his squadplaceholder image
Arteta needs depth throughout his squad | Getty Images
Arsenal will play against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The Premier League fixtures have been announced for the 2025/26 season, and Arsenal will start their campaign against rivals Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta wants to sign a striker as his main priority heading into the season, and he will hope that a new number nine will line up at Old Trafford against the Red Devils with a chance to score on their debut.
How could Arsenal line up against Man United?
Defence: David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber
The Gunners’ defence will likely remain unchanged from Arteta’s preferred line up last season. Raya starts in goal after winning the Premier League Golden Glove award for the second consecutive season.
Both Saliba and Gabriel are arguably the strongest centre-back partnerships in the Premier League, so Arteta will no doubt start them both if they are both ready to start come the Man United game.
Midfield: Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard complete the midfield much like last season, with Odegaard hoping to improve upon what was a slightly disappointing season for the Gunners’ captain.
Declan Rice was excellent for Arsenal last season and became more of an attacking threat as well as a defensive midfielder. He made 52 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists.
Attack: Morgan Rodgers, Bukayo Saka, Benjamin Sesko
It is understood that Arsenal are in talks to land the Slovenia international, who has an £84m release clause at RB Leipzig. Last season, he made 33 Bundesliga appearances, in which he scored 13 goals. If they fail to add Sesko, the Gunners would be likely to pursue Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres instead.
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