football.london reporters pick their Arsenal starting XIs for this Wednesday's friendly against Como at the Emirates Stadium
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes could make his Arsenal debut against Como
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Arsenal are back in action at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday when they face Como in another friendly.
It is likely to be the game where Bruno Guimaraes makes his Gunners debut and Arsenal's final World Cup stars could also be back on the pitch following their extended breaks.
Mikel Arteta's line-up will provide further clues as to how the club could line up against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday and, furthermore, in the Premier League opener against Coventry City on August 21.
football.london reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor have picked their starting XIs for the match.
Tom Canton
Arsenal finally have midfielders back in the group, with Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino back at the club. Not to mention the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazilian has trained slightly more than the quartet that returned on Monday, and therefore has a chance to start similarly to Martin Odegaard against Borussia Dortmund and get around 30 minutes in his legs ahead of the FA Community Shield. It might be then that the others come off the bench later in the game for some minutes.
Gabriel and Odegaard should get at least a half of action too, while Kai Havertz can move into the natural centre-forward role with Guimaraes playing slightly out of position in the six, with Myles Lewis-Skelly moving to the left eight.
Meanwhile, this back four looks likely to be the most set for the opener against Coventry City, barring a move for Ezri Konsa. However, they should be buoyed by the arrival of David Raya, who returned earlier than expected from his holidays, as did Bukayo Saka, who could also get some minutes.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Como: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Dowman, Havertz, Tzolis.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz could lead the line for Arsenal against Como
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Ryan Taylor
I think it's realistic to envisage Arsenal's final World Cup stars being drip fed back into the starting XI slowly but surely.
This game will come too soon for them in terms of starts but we can expect some to be involved from the bench.
David Raya is an exception as I think he needs to get back between the sticks. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Illan Meslier have hardly set the world alight and Arsenal need their No.1 ready for the Community Shield and Coventry.
The back-four remains the same as Borussia Dortmund as that will likely be the one that starts both of the above matches, then, Bruno Guimaraes has to move into midfield alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly.
MLS has been overrun as a lone No.6, which is not his fault and it's also impacted the defence. A sturdy midfield will be key in the absence of Declan Rice, who will need time to recharge following a gruelling season and World Cup.
Martin Odegaard can build his minutes again following his 30-minute cameo against BVB while Max Dowman and Christos Tzolis deserve to continue on the flanks.
I'd also go with Kai Havertz over Viktor Gyokeres in attack as Havertz has been playing deeper of late and he could do with some minutes as the centre-forward.
Taylor's Arsenal XI vs Como: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Dowman, Tzolis, Havertz.
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