Arsenal are set to face Everton in the Barclays Asia Trophy final on Saturday after the Gunners beat a Singapore Select XI 4-0 on Wednesday.
The match kicks off at 1:30 BST and will be shown live on SkySports. Arsenal are set to name a very strong team for the final, after a weakened eleven played against Singapore.
Arsene Wenger opted to leave out first team players who played in international’s post-season against Singapore, which means the Gunners are set to line-up with a very strong team against Everton. I expect eleven changes to be made, so here’s the XI Arsenal and Everton fans can expect to see.
Goalkeeper – Petr Cech
Both Martinez and Szczesny played 45 minutes today, but Cech is set to make his Arsenal bow on Saturday after being left out of the squad on Wednesday. Arsenal fans will be eager to watch their only summer signing in action against a team who will surely test him a bit.
Defence – Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs
Bellerin played the last bit of the game against Singapore, but he is expected to start against Everton. Chambers is likely to be tested as a centre back this pre-season as Bellerin and Debuchy are currently competing for the right back role. Koscielny could partner well with Chambers, as the Englishman is earmarked as Mertesacker’s replacement in the long term. I’m looking forward to seeing Chambers play more at the heart of the defence as I feel that role suits him more. Gibbs will be at left back after Monreal played the full game on Wednesday.
Midfield – Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla; Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey
Wenger won’t want to play Ramsey on the wing this season but with Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Serge Gnabry not on the tour – there was always going to be one of the central players on the wing. With Wilshere in action on Wednesday he is likely to sit out, seeing either Ramsey, Cazorla or Ozil out wide – I’d expect Ramsey to be the one – or perhaps Cazorla.
Forward – Olivier Giroud
Giroud played no part against Singapore but he will have a point to prove after Chuba Akpom hit three on Wednesday. Danny Welbeck will be desperate to get back in the side so Giroud needs to be on his game, especially with the Karim Benzema rumours growing.
One to watch – Jeff Reine-Adelaide
The new 17 year old signing could make his Arsenal debut from the bench on Saturday. He’s a winger with a lot to prove and he could even start ahead of Ramsey or Cazorla and play wide left.
The team which played on Wednesday against Singapore Select XI – D Martinez; M Debuchy, P Mertesacker, Gabriel, N Monreal; M Flamini, F Coquelin; A Oxlade-Chamberlain, J Wilshere, A Iwobi; C Akpom