We already know who will definitely not be in the Arsenal XI that will start the pre-season match in the United States against an All-Star MLS team in the early hours of tomorrow, with Arsene Wenger having to do without a number of his key first team players for one reason or another.
So the Gunners will be facing a strong and match fit side without the likes of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel and Per Mertesacker. This will almost certainly make it a difficult game for the Gunners that do start but it is also a great option for them to impress, but who will make the Arsenal team.
The lack of defensive options against a team that could start with strikers like David Villa and Didier Drogba could see Arsene Wenger turn to the experience of Spanish left back Nacho Monreal in the middle, with either Calum Chambers or Rob Holding alongside and Petr Cech in goal. That would leave Bellerin, if fit and if not Debuchy, and Gibbs to fill the full back positions.
At some point I would like to see Francis Coquelin get a chance in central defence but to start with him I would put him in front of the back four to protect our weakened defence. Again depending on fitness levels I would love to see Granit Xhaka start in the middle as well, with Elneny or maybe Wilshere to come on as needed and depending on how the match is going.
Then we have the coveted but difficult number 10 role. Jack is an option as are Iwobi and Jeff-Reine Adelaide and all three of these could also play out wider but I would like to see Campbell start on one side. The centre forward options are thin on the ground and it surely has to be either Walcott or Akpom.
With quite a lot of youth and inexperience already I would go for Theo and this would be my starting XI.
Cech
Bellerin, Chambers, Monreal, Gibbs
Coquelin, Xhaka
Campbell, Wilshere, Iwobi
Walcott
What do you think, Gooners, and who would you pick?
Bob.