Arsenal predicted XI vs Dortmund as Arteta welcomes captain back
Arsenal return to Emirates Stadium against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, with Martin Ødegaard pushing to make his first appearance of pre-season.
The Arsenal predicted XI vs Dortmund could therefore contain a significant change in midfield. Ødegaard returned to training on Wednesday following his post-World Cup break but was not expected to feature against Real Betis in Dublin.
Sunday provides Mikel Arteta with a more realistic opportunity to begin rebuilding his strongest midfield before the Community Shield against Manchester City.
Kepa Arrizabalaga can continue in goal while David Raya works his way back following Spain’s World Cup campaign.
Arsenal’s defensive options remain restricted by William Saliba’s back injury and Ben White’s latest fitness problem. Jurriën Timber has returned to training, though, and could receive useful minutes at right-back.
Cristhian Mosquera should therefore partner Gabriel Magalhães centrally, with Riccardo Calafiori completing the back four.
Gabriel was among the World Cup players to return earlier than several of Arsenal’s England and Spain internationals. Getting more minutes into the Brazilian before Manchester City would be valuable for Arteta.
The most interesting change should come ahead of them.
Ødegaard returned to London Colney this week after Norway’s World Cup campaign and can now begin building match sharpness. Reports on Wednesday confirmed the Arsenal captain had returned to training, although the Betis game came too soon.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kai Havertz could complete the midfield around him.
Arsenal have also agreed a £75million deal to sign Bruno Guimarães. ReadArsenal reported on Wednesday that an agreement has been reached with Newcastle United, but this prediction assumes the Brazilian will not yet be ready to start against Dortmund.
Max Dowman deserves another Arsenal opportunity
Max Dowman has made an excellent impression during the early weeks of pre-season.
The 16-year-old scored and assisted in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Girona, having also impressed against MK Dons. With Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke given longer breaks after the World Cup, Dowman has been handed a rare opportunity on the right.
The Scottish Sun reports that Dowman is expected to receive further chances against Dortmund as Arteta continues assessing how significant his first-team role could become.
Christos Tzolis should start from the opposite flank after a productive opening to his Arsenal career.
Viktor Gyökeres can then lead the line.
Dortmund represent another step up in opposition before Arsenal face Como on Wednesday and Manchester City four days later. Sky Sports confirms Sunday’s friendly takes place at the Emirates at 2pm.
The result will remain secondary, but Ødegaard’s return and Dowman’s continued involvement could tell Arteta plenty about the side taking shape for competitive football.
Kepa; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Havertz, Ødegaard; Dowman, Gyökeres, Tzolis.
Formation: 4-3-3
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