Mikel Arteta and Arsenal begin their pre-season campaign this weekend.placeholder image
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal begin their pre-season campaign this weekend. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has some big calls to make when it comes to picking his starting XI to take on Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has fewer than 48 hours to finalise his starting XI for the Premier League opener against Manchester United this weekend as the Gunners look to start the season with a big three points.
The north London outfit has invested heavily in the transfer window but it remains to be seen who Arteta views as ready to go from the off. Speaking ahead of the clash, the Spaniard said: “I'm super excited, I can't wait. It's been a really productive pre-season. We’ve made such an evolution in the squad as well and we're ready to go.
“The mood of the place, the energy around it, the enthusiasm that the boys, the staff came with from day one, now we're going to do better, to keep improving as a team and to win. That's what drives my energy and that's why I'm so excited.”
Arsenal ‘controversial’ XI to face Manchester United
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly
There’s no doubt that David Raya will continue to be number one at Arsenal, despite the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer. It wasn’t all too long ago that the Gunners had a shot-stopper saga between Aaron Ramsdale and Raya but the former Chelsea man has some work to do if he plans on ousting Raya.
Arteta has some big calls to make in defence. William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly seem guaranteed to start, but a fit again Riccardo Calafiori could challenge the latter. Meanwhile, Gabriel has been used somewhat cautiously in pre-season as he returns from a hamstring problem.
The Gunners boss could instead deploy Jakub Kiwior in a first controversial decision, given that the 25-year-old looked to struggle against Villarreal. At right-back, Jurrien Timber has also had a shorter pre-season, which could see Arteta opt for Ben White in that role.
Mikel Arteta relishes Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres competition
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice pick themselves at the heart of midfield as the two key engine rooms. Martin Zubimendi has come in from Real Sociedad and had a busy pre-season, so looks ready to go. Former Brentford man Christian Norgaard could be deployed instead, if Arteta wants Premier League experience in the first fixture, but the £60 million Spaniard should get the nod.
Another controversial decision from Arteta could be to bench Viktor Gyokeres against the Red Devils. The 27-year-old only featured in the last three pre-season matches for the Gunners and Kai Havertz, who scored against Athletic Bilbao, could be favoured in the first fixture. The former Chelsea man has been nursing a knock himself but is expected to be fit. That would certainly ruffle some feathers with fans desperate to see the £55 million man in action.
Speaking about the competition for the spot, Arteta said: ”It's always good. I play with 11 players, there are going to be some players on the bench that are going to be used, some others that cannot be used, some players that we're going to have to leave in the stands.
“That's the next level that we're going to face, something that we probably haven't faced before. I've heard a lot that you have two players per position, well we have three and four because there are players that can play in different positions as well.”
Bukayo Saka will, of course, get the nod on the right flank. It’s between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the opposite role, but the latter is a fitness doubt and is linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.
In other news, Arsenal to hand Tottenham clear path to Eberechi Eze as Crystal Palace 'contact' Gunners.
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