Despite only adding Riccardo Calafiori to his Arsenal squad so far this summer, Mikel Arteta has some important decisions to make ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ visit.
Arsenal kick off their Premier League season against Wolves on Saturday at 3pm, buoyed by two successful outings against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon at the Emirates.
Lyon manager Pierre Sage thought Arsenal can win the title this season, saying that consistency will be the biggest key to beating Manchester City.
And even as early as game week one, there’s pressure on Arsenal to deliver.
The Gunners aren’t expected to change their shape/formation this season, sticking with a 4-3-3 that sees either full-back step up into midfield when in possession.
And when Wolves come to visit, TBR Football expects that Arteta will choose to start Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, and not Riccardo Calafiori.
William Saliba was impressed by Calafiori on debut, but the Italian perhaps still needs time to adapt to life in north London, a big change in his career.
Mikel Arteta gives Leandro Trossard another big opportunity against Wolves
In comparison to the starting XI that beat Everton 2-1 on the final day of last season, TBR are expecting just two changes.
Zinchenko will replace Takehiro Tomiyasu who played at left-back that day, and Bukayo Saka will come in for Martinelli, who was injured for the final game of last season.
Arteta’s biggest dilemmas come at left-back and left-wing, two decisions that could be very 50/50.
Jurrien Timber may have started at left-back were he fully fit.
The Dutchman has now returned to training but missed both recent pre-season wins at the Emirates.
And at left-wing, it is also something of split decision between Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, Trossard, who looked ‘rapid’ at times last season, is likely to get the nod based on pre-season form – Martinelli still hasn’t quite looked at his dangerous best.
And right now the £27m-Belgian looks full of end product, aiming to start this new season as he finished the last.
Gary Neville has just shared his Arsenal vs Wolves score prediction in build-up to Saturday’s game, one that is equally important for the visitors who start the season with a very tough run of games.
But if Arsenal want to win the Premier League title, there’s already no room for mistakes.