Arsenal has already set foot in Scandinavia for their final set of pre-season friendlies against the likes of Manchester City and Viking FK. The Gunners would be taking on their Premier League rivals Manchester City on 7th August, Sunday in Gothenburg’s 43,200 capacity Ullevi stadium. The two managers have named strong squads for the tour and the game is likely to feature some big names for both sides. Let’s look at the probable Arsenal line-up for the match.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech would definitely be starting the match for Arsenal in goal as he would look to stop the likes of Aguero, Nolito and de Bruyne from getting one past him.
Right-Back
Mathieu Debuchy has featured as the RB in the friendlies so far but Wenger would be allowing Bellerin to start the game to get set with the pace and quality of what the likes of the new look of city and Guardiola’s strategy will be offering once they meet in the league when the season starts.
Central Defender
Arsene Wenger would be giving one last opportunity to Calum Chambers against a strong City squad to prove that he can be counted upon when called for during the season. Chambers so far has had a poor pre-season with some average performances and has made mistakes at the back. This game might be his biggest opportunity to get the confidence of his manager as well as of himself up so that he doesn’t fall further behind the pecking order.
Central Defender
Gabriel is another player who will need to prove himself this season at Arsenal and City would provide a good test for him. He needs to have a good game and can partner Chambers at the back.
Left-Back
Nacho Monreal should be preferred to complete the back four as with the likes of Chambers and Gabriel in central defence Arsenal would need somebody who would be consistent and dependable enough to cover for them.
Defensive Midfielder
New Boy Granit Xhaka will take his place at the base of the midfield and would relish the challenge and get an idea of what he is likely to face in the season.
Defensive Midfielder
Wenger would be tempted to field Cazorla alongside Xhaka but it is an opportunity to test how Coquelin can perform beside the Swiss international, so he is likely to start as he can provide the added cover needed to the defenders as well.
Right Attacking Midfielder/Right Winger
Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to start and continue with his good pre-season form. Arsenal would be hoping that he can make a difference once again in the game. Would be an important player for the tie
Central Attacking Midfielder
Aaron Ramsey is back with his new hairstyle and he can start the game in the position just in behind the striker and get a feel of competitive football once again after an amazing Euro adventure and a nice holiday.
Left Attacking Midfielder/Left Winger
Theo Walcott can feature in the game as an inverted winger as he will be looking to have a go at former teammate Bacary Sagna. Wenger would be keeping an eye on the performance of Walcott closely as I feel that he would be interchanging places at times with Alexis Sanchez in the striker position from time to time.
Striker
Alexis Sanchez can start the match for Arsenal for the first time since his second consecutive Copa America triumph against City. Alexis can be deployed in the slightly unusual lone striker role to test out a few possibilities but he will be definitely stationing himself on the left flank from time to time swapping places with Walcott to exploit the half spaces more effectively.
