The Gunners' would have one of the most dominant starting line-ups in Europe.
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Bradley Barcola is being tipped to leave PSG this summer (Image: Getty)
Arsenal could have a scary starting XI for the opening day of the Premier League season if the Gunners can successfully pull off a Bradley Barcola hijack. The winger has been linked with Liverpool for some time now, but the Reds haven’t been willing to match Paris Saint-Germain’s asking price.
Mikel Arteta has spoken about adding quality to Arsenal’s forward line, with Barcola emerging as the most likely option. It would likely require a club record - and perhaps Premier League record - transfer fee to sign him, but if the north Londoners can secure Barcola’s signature, their starting line-up would strike fear into every team in the division.
Mr Reliable between the sticks. Arguably their best player during last season’s title win, with David Raya still praised for his last-gasp save in the win over West Ham United. The soon-to-be 31-year-old has established himself as one of the continent’s best shot-stoppers and will need to be on top form again this season.
Four of Arteta’s trusty generals, with defence having been the key to Arsenal’s success last season. They’ll be without one of their main men, William Saliba, who continues his recovery from injury. But teams will have to go some way to get past a backline of Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie, and Cristhian Mosquera.
Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League Final 2026
Bradley Barcola could be on the same side as the likes of Rice, Saka and Gabriel (Image: Getty)
The engine room. Towards the end of last season, Arsenal started to get overrun in midfield, with Declan Rice’s fatigue starting to set in. They’ve added firepower to their midfield with the addition of Bruno Guimaraes, who should slot straight in next to the imperious Rice. Pulling the strings just in front is Martin Odegaard, who struggled with injury at times last year, but will hope to rediscover his previous form to have a stellar season for the champions.
And finally, the attack. Suffice to say Barcola is the automatic starter on the left-hand side of attack for Arsenal, with the Emirates Stadium outfit having been in desperate need of quality in that position for some time. Bukayo Saka will operate on the opposite flank, with the Englishman another Arsenal star who has struggled with their fitness at times. There is a two-way tussle up front for the starting striker spot between Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres - we’ve edged the latter, but it’s splitting hairs somewhat. Regardless, there should be plenty of goals in this side.