It has been quite a summer transfer window for Arsenal. The North London giants were tipped to do minimal business after missing out on UEFA Champions League places last season by finishing fifth in the league. Daily Mirror even reported that Unai Emery had a budget of only £40 million going into this new season.
However, the Gunners have surprised everybody; it seems, notably announcing the signing Dani Ceballos and William Saliba in the same day. Emery has also secured the services of Gabriel Martinelli and is reportedly on the verge of completing a deal for Nicolas Pepe. So naturally, the Gooners will be ecstatic about their new signings.
And in this article, we will figure out the best possible Arsenal lineup in this new season, including the recruits as well as their remaining targets in the market.
Formation: Due to the club’s crisis in the defensive department, we expect Emery to shift to a four at the back formation, with 4-2-3-1 being the likeliest choice.
Defence
Despite the retirement of Petr Cech as well as the departure of David Ospina to Napoli, Arsenal are yet to sign a new goalkeeper this summer. That means Bernd Leno will likely become the club’s first-choice keeper this season. We expect Emiliano Martinez to get an improved role in the first-team too.
Hector Bellerin will return to full fitness after missing out a large chunk of the 2018/19 campaign due to injury. His fitness will be crucial in the right-back slot, especially following the release of Stephan Lichsteiner.
Both Carl Jenkinson and Calum Chambers are still at the club and could be utilised as potential backups. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, too, is an option but Emery will need to switch to a wing-back system to accomodate him into the starting lineup.
Kieran Tierney has become a prime target for Arsenal this summer. And the Scot could become the first-choice left-back should the Gunners manage to secure his services. Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal are the other available options, but the former is more of a wing-back like Maitland-Niles and will force Emery to return to a three at the back system.
And finally, in central defence, Sokratis is a guaranteed starter at the heart of the four man backline. But, the fact that new signing Saliba will return to St. Etienne on loan till the rest of the campaign gives Emery a selection dilemma.
Following the refusal of Laurent Koscielny to train with the team, coupled with Shkodran Mustafi’s horrendous form, we expect Rob Holding to be integrated into a vital part of the Gunners backline. He is also one of the potential options for the club in their bid to find a new club captain.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira seem like the best fit in the double pivot system in midfield for now. But, new signing Ceballos will make a strong case for replacing Xhaka, if he can successfully integrate to the fast-paced nature of the Premier League.
During the initial stages of the campaign, however, we expect the Swiss to maintain his position as a regular starter. Matteo Guendouzi, meanwhile, will also provide competition to Ceballo, Torreira and Xhaka, which could only bode well for Emery. Joe Willock, too, has impressed in pre-season and could get a run in.
Either way, the availability of at least four quality midfield options will be useful because the club will take part in the UEFA Europa League, where rotation becomes a key factor.
Attack
The offensive trifecta of Alex Iwobi, Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson will likely play a bit-part role at the club, mainly due to the impending arrival of Pepe. The LOSC Lille superstar is set to undergo his medical at Emirates and is more than a guaranteed starter in his favoured right-wing slot.
Mesut Ozil is likely to occupy the number ten role, following the departure of Aaron Ramsey. However, the German must perform in this new season, after enduring a difficult spell under Emery last campaign. Alternatively, Ceballos can be deployed in the number ten role should Ozil fail to perform.
As for the left-wing slot, Iwobi is an option. But, we expect Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to occupy that role, with Alexandre Lacazette spearheading the attack.
That being said, Aubameyang is more than likely to drift into the central area and partner up with Laca while the left-back will push forward and operate in a relatively advanced role. Kolasinac, to that end, could be an ideal fit.
