Arsenal’s squad is looking pretty thin ahead of their opening Premier League match against Leicester on Sunday, so who might we see feature?
It’s always a bit hit or miss who will get to play during the opening games of each Premier League season since some players have only just returned from their extended breaks and some are still overcoming injuries from last term.
Arsenal have their normal inspiring mixture of both, with Shkodran Mustafi not yet fit to take part in the clash against the Foxes, Alexis Sanchez suddenly suffering from an abdominal injury, and Gabriel still out with a cruciate knee ligament injury from last season.
Fortunately, although it was suspected that Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil would be out with muscular and ankle problems respectively, the latter is said to be able to start against Leicester on Friday.
Here’s how we think Arsenal will line up against Craig Shakespeare’s side:
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech is Arsenal’s #1… if he doesn’t start against Leicester, Gooners everywhere will start readying their pitchforks.
Centre-backs
Given that Per Mertesacker suffered a head injury against Chelsea after colliding with Gary Cahill’s elbow, Gabriel’s still out from last season and Laurent Koscielny is suspended, we’ll probably see a back three of Nacho Monreal, Rob Holding, and Hector Bellerin.
Wing-backs
Sead Kolasinac was Arsenal’s stand-out player against Chelsea so will probably get the nod again, as will Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right-hand side.
Central midfield
Granit Xhaka was man of the match in the Community Shield, so you’d have to expect to see him start again against the Foxes.
In the absence of Francis Coquelin and potentially Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny might join him.
Wide-forwards
Mesut Ozil is said to be ready to start against Leicester despite having a bad ankle, while Alex Iwobi will probably start alongside him.
Striker
Although many believe that Olivier Giroud should be getting the nod, the chances are the boss will give the new boy, Alexandre Lacazette, his first Premier League start.
Full line-up
So the final predicted line-up is as follows (3-4-2-1): Cech; Monreal, Holding, Bellerin; Kolašinac, Elneny, Xhaka, Ox; Iwobi, Ozil; Lacazette.