It’s finally here, the Premier League is back after three long months of waiting. Arsenal will take on Wolves at the Emirates Stadium to begin their campaign.
The Gunners had arguably their best season ever last year, winning more games and scoring more goals than ever before, but Mikel Arteta has challenged them to improve upon that performance.
“It’s like you’re trying to climb the highest mountain, in the most difficult league in the world and you’re surrounded by people trying to achieve the same ambition,” the Spaniard said of his team’s challenge. “We’re certainly going to try.”
With Man City looking to secure a fifth title in a row, Arsenal can afford few slip ups. It’s crucial that Arteta gets his team selection for this opener spot on. Thankfully football.london’s Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak and Tom Canton are on hand to decide who they think the Spaniard should pick.
Tom Canton – Football writer
In the last preseason friendly, Mikel Arteta typically starts with the starting lineup he wants to use in the opening Premier League match. But I believe I would slightly alter the team that defeated Lyon 2-0.
Right now, Leandro Trossard is deserving of the left-wing position more than Gabriel Martinelli. He appears more youthful and intelligent, and he has demonstrated remarkable perseverance and motivation in the games he has played this summer, especially the one against Bayer Leverkusen.
With Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back, everything else can stay the same. Nevertheless, with away games against Man City, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, one can only hope that Jurrien Timber can get healthy in time for them or that Riccardo Calafiori is prepared for a true test of endurance.
I think Kai Havertz is the player to keep an eye on. This season, the German international should aim for 20+ goals and ten assists, and like everyone else, it starts against Wolves.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Wolves – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Kaya Kaynak – Chief Arsenal correspondent
This Arsenal back four, in my opinion, pretty much picks itself. The actual choice is what to do with the left back. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s strong preseason performance has me sticking with him. But in case anything changes, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber will be waiting in the wings.
This is where things start to become a little more controversial. For my part, I thought Kai Havertz’s attacking line-up—Gabriel Jesus up top, Leandro Trossard on the left wing—was excellent against Bayer Leverkusen. You must adjust a few things in order for that to occur once more.
Declan Rice moves down a bit to the number six spot, where he can provide defensive cover. I believe you can afford to have the additional offensive presence when playing Wolves at home.
While this is going on, Martin Odegaard, who starts slightly deeper, stays in the right eight position. Conversely, Bukayo Saka is a clear choice for the right wing.
Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Wolves – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.
