Arsenal start their competitive fixtures for the season against Chelsea on August the 2nd at Wembley. The two teams meet in the Community Shield, a title that the Gunners currently hold after their impressive showing against Manchester City last season.
But how will the Gunners line up? Alexis Sanchez hasn’t returned to training yet and Danny Welbeck is still injured. Almost everyone else has performed to a high standard during pre-season, giving Arsene Wenger a welcomed selection headache.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
Cech will make his competitive Arsenal debut against his former club. Can he make it three trophies in three games? The Czech international has looked solid in pre-season and will be up for this game.
Defence: Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal
Bellerin or Debuchy will be the main question in Arsene Wenger’s head. Bellerin has the form advantage; Debuchy is stronger defensively and is also more mature in his decisions – which may be important in a game like this. I have feeling Wenger will go with Debuchy for this one, because of those reasons. However I can see Bellerin being our main right back over the course of the season.
Midfield: Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla
The toughest area for selection is definitely in midfield. Coquelin is needed for his steel and athleticism and Ozil is an obvious selection in that number 10 role after an incredible pre season. Cazorla and Ramsey have also impressed in pre season, but there’s only room for one to play centrally. Personally I think Wenger will play both and push one of them out wide. Both players perform significantly better in central areas but I could see Cazorla in the ‘false winger’ role. If Walcott starts upfront then Chamberlain has the wide right role secured. It’s a big season for him and he has to progress, as does Jack Wilshere – but I think he’ll start from the bench.
Striker: Theo Walcott
Whilst Olivier Giroud may be more suited to a game like this, Walcott looks the sharper of the duo at the moment. I still think we need someone like Karim Benzema to finish off this squad (and a defensive midfielder). I think Wenger will continue with Walcott as a striker, he’s scored in both pre-season games when he has been given a chance there. Couple that with his FA Cup final goal and hat trick against West Brom and it makes sense for the Englishman to get the nod up top.
That’s how I think Wenger will line Arsenal up, how would you like to see us line up?