The summer transfer window has been a roller coaster ride for the Gunners, yet a dramatic one. Aubameyang is near marking an agreement expansion and Gabriel has joined Willian at the Emirates. Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares have been signed already and Ceballos will stay for another season. Notwithstanding, regardless of endless increments, it looks like a further business could be directed at London. Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has been intensely linked with a transfer to North London alongside Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.
Arsenal have played two games this season already and have managed to win both of them. The first one was the Community Shield against Liverpool and the next game was their opening game of the 2020-21 Premier League against Fulham.
The Gunners deployed a 3-4-3 in both games and Arteta could deploy two different line ups in the 2020-21 season. Arsenal can line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as well.
With the new signings and expected arrivals, this is how Arsenal could line up?
Goalkeeper:
Bernd Leno and Emiliano Martinez would have fought for the starting spot this season but Martinez is very close to leaving Arsenal for Aston Villa and was also not included in the squad against Fulham. This leaves Leno as the first choice keeper.
Defenders:
Arteta has been using four at the back formation since joining and Bellerin & Tierney will be the starters for the fullback position. Maitland-Niles will probably leave and that leaves Bellerin as the obvious starter.
William Saliba and Gabriel could be the centre-back pairs for this season. Gabriel made his debut against Fulham and also scored his debut goal.
Midfielders:
Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos could form a formidable double-pivot ahead of the defence. Xhaka will be rested upon the defensive duties and Ceballos will have the independence to move forward and create an attack. Xhaka has been on a different level since Arteta’s appointment and it looks like he has won his spot for the number 6 role.
Willian has the ability to play on both wings and hence he can start on the left wide midfield. Nicolas Pepe will start in his original right-wing. Houssem Aouar has been linked with a move to Arsenal and he could take up the number 10 role. Aouar has mostly played as a left midfielder and central midfielder at Lyon but his attacking contributions make him a perfect player for the number 10 role. Aouar could be the missing piece in Arsenal’s midfield triangle.
Striker:
Aubameyang is ready to sign a new contract at Arsenal and he is here to stay. So he takes up the striker role. He has mostly played on the wings as Lacazette played as the lone striker.
Arsenal XI
Leno
Bellerin Gabriel Saliba Tierney
Xhaka Ceballos
Pepe Aouar Willian
Aubameyang
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