Arsenal starting XI for new season if transfer rumours prove true, including 3 new starters
A look at what Arsenal’s starting XI could look like come the start of the new season.
Arsenal’s pre-season campaign is already underway, and Mikel Arteta will be looking forward to seeing the battle for starting spots play out over the coming weeks, especially with an even more competitive squad this season thanks to early recruitment aplenty.
We are likely to see more signings before the summer is out, too, and with that in mind, we have put together a possible starting XI for the new season based on recent transfer rumours.
GK - David Raya
David Raya is Arsenal’s clear starting goalkeeper, but it is a real positive that Arteta has signed Kepa Arrizabalaga as a back-up. The Spaniard may have a reputation of being a flop, but he is a perfectly capable Premier League goalkeeper and a back-up who can fill in well in case of injury to Raya.
LB - Riccardo Calafiori
There is a nice battle developing at left-back between Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to move on. Calafiori provided some big moments last season and is the more experienced of the two players. He might have the edge.
CB - Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal need more depth here, and Cristhian Mosquera looks set to add it, but there is little doubt over who the starting centre-backs will be.
CB - William Saliba
The same applies here, with Saliba and Magalhaes clearly the best options as things stand.
RB - Ben White
White is the go-to right-back, but Jurrien Timber will also be expected to see plenty of game time during the coming season.
CDM - Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi cost Arsenal more than £50million and it seems very likely the Spaniard will form a key part of the double pivot in midfield. Mikel Merino will also compete for a spot, but Zubimendi is more comfortable in the defensive role.
CDM - Declan Rice
Rice is one of the first names on the team sheet, and he will be a starter whenever he is fit next season.
CAM - Martin Odegaard
Odegaard is also a key starter, and the club captain, no less. Though, Arsenal do need a back-up for Odegaard before the summer transfer window slams shut. Havertz could play that role, as can Merino.
LW - Noni Madueke
This is a tough one to call going into the new season. There is going to be a real battle between new signing Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. Madueke might just have the edge given he is arriving on a big-money deal, but all three are going to see plenty of game time this coming season.
RW - Bukayo Saka
Saka has his spot pretty much nailed down on the other side, but it is a real positive that there is better competition for those wing spots going into the new season. Arsenal really missed that last term.
CF - Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres will replace Kai Havertz as the starting striker barring any surprises, with the Sweden international heading for North London on a big-money deal this summer.
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