football.london’s Arsenal writers take a look at how Mikel Arteta could line his Gunners side up for their Premier League fixture against Leicester City
Arsenal return to Premier League action with a chance to continue their unbeaten run at the start of this new season with a home tie with Leicester City. Mikel Arteta will want to bounce back from the frustrating end to their game with Manchester City who themselves go to Newcastle United in a tricky away fixture.
Arteta has had to deal with plenty of issues with question marks over David Raya and Jurrien Timber joining both Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in the medical room this week. Leandro Trossard has now served his suspension against Bolton and will be available for selection.
With a tricky European test against PSG next Tuesday, there is some pressure on the manager to manage minutes. We asked our football.london Arsenal writers to have their say on the team they would choose for the weekend’s match…
Tom Canton
The big talk from midweek is of course the brace scored by Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri. Two goals while Odegaard remains out immediately has the teenager in the minds of many to start this weekend but I would hold off for at least another week, introducing him later in the game for a significant portion of the fixture – therefore continuing with Trossard for now in the attacking midfield slot.
Ben White returns at right-back and while Jurrien Timber may be in a better place after his rest against Bolton, I think continuing that trend ahead of the visit of PSG would be smart, especially as it gives another chance to Calafiori to play. The usual centre-back pairing resumes with a hopefully recovered David Raya in goal… if not then Neto will get his first minutes for the Gunners.
Declan Rice and Thomas Partey continue in midfield, awaiting the return of Merino. While in attack, I would reward Raheem Sterling’s impressive attacking display with a start alongside Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka – Gabriel Martinelli’s work rate will be important in the Champions League.
Canton’s Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Sterling
Kaya Kaynak
If I were Mikel Arteta I wouldn’t be too inclined to take a risk on David Raya’s fitness. If there’s a shadow of a doubt over him, I’d keep him safe for PSG on Tuesday and start Neto.
I’m bringing Jurrien Timber back in at right back with Ben White continuing to struggle with a knee problem. On the left that means it’s Riccardo Calafiori with the usual partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba in the middle.
In midfield Thomas Partey is back in for me after a superb display at the Etihad Stadium, with Declan Rice an obvious pick alongside him. To complete the trio I’m taking a gamble on youth and giving Ethan Nwaneri his chance. The Hale Ender was superb in midweek and deserves the chance to carry Arsenal’s creative burden.
Having him in the side would allow Kai Havertz to switch back to the orthodox number nine role where I think he’s at his best. Bukayo Saka is an obvious pick on the right but on the left I’m opting for Raheem Sterling. The England winger was great against Bolton and I think Gabriel Martinelli will be needed against PSG in midweek.
Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Leicester – Neto; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Nwaneri, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Sterling.