Arsenal will be looking to kick-start the new campaign with a win when they play host to Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
The Gunners have already sealed the opening piece of silverware by defeating Manchester City at Wembley last weekend, but eyes will now turn to the bigger prizes, with the Premier League at the top of the wishlist after missing out last term.
We’ve made some big changes to the squad over the summer, with one of our best players of the season in Granit Xhaka making way for Declan Rice, and with Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber bolstering our squad.
We go into today’s clash with a couple of issues however. Gabriel Jesus is yet to return from the injury he suffered in pre-season, while Arsenal report that Mo Elneny continues to recover from knee issues from the beginning of the year. On a positive note, Jorginho should be fit to return after suffering a knock in the build-up to the clash with City last Sunday, while Oleksandr Zinchenko could also be available after missing much of pre-season.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Ramsdale
White Saliba Gabriel Timber
Odegaard Partey Rice
Saka Nketiah Martinelli
While I’m not certain whether Eddie will get the nod over Trossard, Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun or Kai Havertz for that Cf spot, I believe he would be the best option given our opposition. I would also like to have seen Zinchenko prove his fitness, but given his lack of match practice of late, I struggle to see him getting the nod to start.
I don’t hold any worries going into today’s clash, regardless of whether their main man Taiwo Awoniyi makes a miraculous recovery from his latest injury setback, and am expecting us to match last season’s main rivals Manchester City’s 3-0 scoreline in today’s early kick-off.
How do you see Arteta naming his first XI of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign?
Patrick
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Arsenal opening Epl match is usually unpredictable. It’s always a two extremes either a bad lose or a comfortable win. But I hope this season would be the positive of a win with goals. We need to make a statement of what to expect this season. The fans must be excited with a comfortable win. I kind of wish Trossard play in place of Matinelli. I also wish Havertz could play he need to start getting used to his team mates for Epl games.
I have a feeling we will give forrestba real drubbing. Gonna go out in a limb and say 3 plus goals
I think the predicted line up is spot on but Havertz starts over Eddie .
💯% agree with you, I also think Trossard will come on at some point and possible Nketiah if things aren’t going right.
Hit on them when they least expected, bring on the next victim.
Chomping at the bit today for kick off can’t see anything but 3 points for us… but I have a nagging suspicion that it might be a slog as we still look a bit pre season rusty. Knowing our luck Turner will probably turn in a worldy performance.
Personally, I see the same starting 11 as per the charity shield but with all the tools at his disposal I do like surprises.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
I think Havertz will not miss any games unless he is injured. I think he is a vital cog in Arteta’s gameplan and wants to get it up and running as soon as possible into the season. Martinelli will be given nod again I think as he was rusty and will be needed in his best form sooner than later. Trossard will be brought in as substitute as usual I think. Timber starts, and so does Rice as well. Arteta will want to have them settled in and gel in well early in the season.
Seriously Harvertz is a very good player he don’t deserve to miss any game and also Timber,Trosasard, All this players the game should start with them
————–Ramsdale
–White–Saliba–Magahles —Timber
—–Partey——Odegaard—-Rice
—–Saka——–Hevertz—-Martinelli
Can see us starting this game on the front foot, surely Hevertz needs to get his name on the score sheet to kick start his career at Arsenal.
I have a feeling we won’t win
Leeroy… I’m in with you. Partey right wingback! Why not Timber on the right side and Tierney on the left? Maybe they have decided to sell KT. That’s the only explanation. If Arteta think this is gonna be an easy gig, I think he’s wrong.