Arsenal Predicted XI: Who will make Arsenal’s first XI of the new season as they face a trip to Fulham tomorrow?

11th September 2020

Categories: Arsenal, Europe, News, Premier League, Premier League Clubs, Transfers

Tags: Arsenal, Aubameyang, Ceballos, Emirates, Football, Fulham, Gabriel, Gunners, Luiz, Martinez, Mikel Arteta, Pepe, Premier League, Saka, Scott Parker, Soares, Tierney, Willian, Xhaka

Arsenal Predicted XI: Who will make Arsenal’s first XI of the new season as they face a trip to Fulham tomorrow?

There’s just 24 hours to go until the Gunners get the 2020/21 Premier League season underway against newly-promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage Saturday lunchtime.

The pressure will be on the Emirates outfit, to kick off their campaign with a good performance and a win, as they try and improve on their disappointing league performance last year.

However, Scott Parker’s Fulham will be no pushovers, they’ll be excited to have joined England’s top division again and will be hoping for a positive result.

The main issue for Arsenal boss Arteta will be which of his new signings will he start and how much of last season’s team will he stick with.

Here we predict the Spaniard’s starting XI….

Goalkeeper:

Arteta has decisions to make all over the pitch and it starts with choosing his number one goalkeeper, Bernd Leno picked up an injury against Brighton & Hove Albion shortly after lockdown, and Emiliano Martinez certainly took his chance, we expect the Argentine to keep his place tomorrow.

Defenders:

Arsenal have secured defensive signings and Arteta has a full squad of players to choose from in the defensive positions. David Luiz cut a controversial figure at times last season, but we expect the Brazilian to start alongside new signing Gabriel in the heart of the Arsenal back line. Left back Kieran Tierney will be hoping to start with Hector Bellerin on the other flank.

Midfielders:

With certain youngsters performing beyond their years last season, Arteta has plenty of options in midfield areas going into his side’s league opener. We expect Granit Xhaka to keep up his good form shown last season, alongside Dani Ceballos who Arteta has managed to secure for another season. That leaves teenager Bakuyo Saka to sit behind the front men.

Forwards:

The trio of Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and two-goal hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linked up well at the back end of last season, but now Arsenal have Willian to throw into the mix, who is an experienced and regular high performer in the league. We expect Willian to start in place of Lacazette to make up the front three.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Soares, Gabriel, Luiz, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka; Pepe, Willian, Aubameyang.