ARSENAL take on Newcastle at St. James Park in our Premier League curtain raiser this year and there’s going to be a real buzz about seeing new signing Nicolas Pepe in action but who else should Unai Emery start on Sunday?
I’m going to run through the dream starting XI for Arsenal this weekend including a couple of late signings that I’d love to see Arsenal get over the line at the last minute.
Bernd Leno: There is no question now that Leno is Arsenal’s No.1 now that Petr Cech has left the club. It would be great to see him establish himself as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers now.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: He might have scored a comedy own goal in pre-season but I’d give Maitland-Niles the nod for Newcastle. We all know that Arsenal’s defence is the weakest part of the squad, it’s up to every player to improve themselves.
Dayot Upamecano: Now the Laurent Koscielny debacle is out of the way, Arsenal can start to look forward and bringing in Upamecano would be a massive signing. We need new centre-backs, it is as simple as that, and if we can’t get Upamecano then Daniele Rugani is another excellent option.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos: Arsenal fans have had enough of Shkrodan Mustafi and Sokratis is a much better option but even he has to be replaced. It’s been excellent bringing in Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe but our biggest problem still remains at centre-back.
Kieran Tierney: I’m still crossing my fingers that Arsenal can finalise a deal for Tierney before the window closes on Thursday. Just like we need a new centre-back or two, a new left-back is crucial to our shape and Tierney could well become our own Andy Robertson if we signed him – that’s the hope anyway.
David Luiz is among options Arsenal working on for centre-back – delicate but not for 1st time (see 31/01/18) #AFC keen. Kieran Tierney remains a target, Eddie Nketiah still deciding but likely Leeds, Alex Iwobi will happen IF Everton make suitable offer #EFC #LUFC #CFC #CelticFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) August 7, 2019
Granit Xhaka: Dani Ceballos has been brought in but I expect Xhaka to remain an integral part of Arsenal’s midfield this season, starting at Newcastle. If he fancies smashing one in from 30 yards, that’ll do nicely.
Joe Willock: With Lucas Torreira unlikely to be ready after an extended break this summer, I’d bring young Joe Willock in to the middle.
Mesut Ozil: It goes without saying that we need the real Ozil to show up from the first game of the season. When he’s on form he’s one of the best, when he isn’t games pass him by but with our front three moving fluidly in front of him Ozil shouldn’t struggle to create chances.
Nicolas Pepe: I can’t wait to see Pepe in action. There’s a real buzz about seeing him working with Aubameyang and Lacazette and I think he’s going to hit the ground running in the Premier League. Defenders beware.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: I’d play Aubameyang out on the left with Pepe on the right and Lacazette through the middle but we all saw last season how often Emery changed it around. One thing is for sure, Aubameyang will get plenty of goals.
Alexandre Lacazette: Completing the front three is Lacazette and I expect the whole front line to be fluid, dynamic and switch positions regularly, so there’s every chance Lacazette will end up moving out wide. The only thing I do know is that defenders are going to struggle to stop Arsenal scoring plenty this season.
