Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Arsenal could line up for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has the best kind of defensive dilemma to resolve for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates.
The Gunners boss cannot call upon Kieran Tierney (hamstring) or Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) for the 3pm kickoff, but Jurrien Timber is expected to shake off a foot problem to make himself available.
The Dutchman is one of a few options at left-back for Arteta, a list that also includes new signing Riccardo Calafiori, who made his non-competitive debut in last weekend’s Emirates Cup win over Lyon.
However, Oleksandr Zinchenko has the most pre-season minutes under his belt and was largely impressive in the summer too, so the Ukrainian ought to be given the nod on the left as Ben White takes up his usual position on the right.
With 49 wins in 65 games, William Saliba could reach 50 Premier League victories in record time for Arsenal this weekend as he partners Gabriel Magalhaes in front of David Raya, now signed on a permanent deal from Brentford.
Despite the expectation that Thomas Partey would be sold this summer as he runs down the last year of his contract, the Ghana international remains in North London and is likely to occupy the number six role in between Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, as the Gunners continue to negotiate a deal for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.
Kai Havertz made the number nine slot his own last term and will likely fend off the threat of Gabriel Jesus to continue alongside Bukayo Saka, but Gabriel Martinelli vs. Leandro Trossard on the left is a fascinating battle, one that the Brazilian may just edge this time around.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
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