Arsenal travel to Orlando this week to feature in the Florida Cup, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup for their first game against Inter Milan.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the pre-season match at Easter Road, Edinburgh. Picture date: Tuesday July 13, 2021. Use subject to restrictions. Copyright: Ian Rutherford
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the pre-season match at Easter Road, Edinburgh. Picture date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Use subject to restrictions. Copyright: Ian Rutherford

Arsenal are yet to win a game after their first couple of pre-season fixtures, but the performance against Rangers was much improved, just with some wasteful finishing.

Mikel Arteta’s side will look to keep building on that display as they step things up a gear against top opposition in Inter Milan. Here’s our predicted team for Sunday’s match.

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League match, Semifinal, between Villarreal CF and Arsenal FC played at La Ceramica Stadium on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Copyright: Sergio Ruiz
ESP: Villarreal CF – Arsenal FC. UEFA Europa League, Semifinal Bernd Leno of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Europa League match, Semifinal, between Villarreal CF and Arsenal FC played at La Ceramica Stadium on April 29, 2021. Copyright: Sergio Ruiz

Bernd Leno will have completed his three weeks off by Tuesday, so it’s very possible he joins the trip to Orlando on Wednesday, which would have him available for his first pre-season action by Sunday.

For now, we’ll assume that’s the case, as Kieran Tierney returned after three weeks and he played many more minutes at the Euros than Leno.

Arthur Okonkwo and Karl Hein will also likely join the trip as the backup goalkeepers, as the youth duo continue to get senior pre-season opportunities.

Defence

Kieran Tierney in training with Arsenal, Calum Chambers in the background (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)
Kieran Tierney in training with Arsenal, Calum Chambers in the background (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)

Pablo Mari and Rob Holding will likely keep their places in the centre of defence, as you’d imagine that’s the current planned pairing to play against Brentford of the opening day of the new season.

That may change if Gabriel Magalhaes returns to fitness, or if Ben White arrives and gets up to speed in time. But for now, they’re the first-choice central defenders.

Hector Bellerin has been strongly linked with a move to Inter Milan, so there’s perhaps no better game for him to impress both his current and his potential future employers. On the other side, Tierney could be set for his first start of pre-season.

Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, Nuno Tavares, and Cedric Soares are all likely to join the trip as well, probably getting minutes in the second half.

Midfield

Emile Smith Rowe back in pre-season training (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)
Emile Smith Rowe back in pre-season training (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)

Arsenal are still lacking experienced options in midfield right now, so Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are probably the most likely to feature with Emile Smith Rowe ahead of them.

Albert Sambi Lokonga should be on the trip, but he will have only just joined the squad for the first time a few days before the game. Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock will probably come off the bench in the second half along with the new signing.

Forwards

UEFA Europa League Group B, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 10/12/2020. Dundalk vs Arsenal Arsenal's Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game. Copyright: INPHO / Ryan Byrne
UEFA Europa League Group B, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 10/12/2020. Dundalk vs Arsenal Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring his side’s fourth goal of the game. Copyright: INPHO / Ryan Byrne

The front three that started against Rangers performed very well apart from the final finish, so it would be good to see them getting another run-out. That’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flanked by Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe.

Eddie Nketiah, Willian, Reiss Nelson, and Alexandre Lacazette should also be on the trip, and any of them could hypothetically step in. But we’re predicting Arteta to stick with the Rangers starters.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Inter Milan

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Inter Milan created using Chosen11.com
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Inter Milan created using Chosen11.com