Its set to be a hectic start as the Premier League rolls back around this weekend and one side who have certainly attracted plenty of attention in pre-season have been Arsenal, much to the interest of the punters in the Transfer Tavern!
Arsene Wenger has been up to his old tricks of being extremely quiet in the transfer window with only Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding and Takumo Asano coming in so far, with their first game only a matter of days away.
But reports have began to link Arsenal with a £30m move for Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony who would finally count as a significant piece of transfer business, just as some Gunners fans began to grow frustrated.
So with all this in mind, how can we expect the Gunners to lineup against Liverpool in their league opener, if they bring Wilfried Bony to the Emirates in time for the game?
We’ve put some thought into it and we reckon this could be their starting XI that could beat Liverpool on Sunday, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation…
GK: Petr Cech
Pretty standard stuff here, we expect former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech to hold down the goalkeeping berth all season, as long as injuries or poor form don’t take hold.
The Czech international is a massive part of the Gunners side and if he is playing well then expect Arsene Wenger’s side to do well this season. He’s got plenty of experience and is a real leader from the back of the team.
RB: Hector Bellerin
Again, no change in the right-back spot.
We, as well as many Arsenal supporters expect Bellerin to hold down this position for years to come after another impressive season last time out.
The former Barcelona academy prospect has been tipped to be one of the best full-backs in the world in a couple of seasons time, so Arsenal will want him fit and ready to go for Sunday.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Even though he’s just returned to training, expect Laurent Koscielny to be thrown into the side to face Liverpool.
This could backfire massively but with the Gunners in dire need of defensive cover and no imminent signings on their way, the Frenchman will marshal the side from the back despite not being at full fitness.
CB: Calum Chambers
Will get the nod ahead of Rob Holding because he has more experienced than the recently signed Bolton youngster.
Injuries to Gabriel and Per Mertesacker mean that Chambers could nail down the centre-back position for the first time in his Arsenal career, with the former Southampton man having struggled to get into the side in the past.
A big test for the youngster but its time to step-up and impress the supporters.
LB: Nacho Monreal
With the two centre-backs not an ideal choice for this game, Nacho Monreal needs to have a great game if the Gunners are to overcome Liverpool on day one.
The Spaniard offers some consistency to the back line having featured 45 times for Arsenal last season but he’ll have to be in top form if Arsenal are to come away with a victory.
CDM: Granit Xhaka
It seems unlikely that Xhaka won’t start against Liverpool and if he doesn’t, expect some Gunners to be rather annoyed indeed.
As we saw at the Euros, Xhaka is a tough-tackling, hard-working midfielder that isn’t scared of doing the nitty gritty work in the middle of the park. He will be the glue in Arsenal’s midfield this season.
CDM: Mohamed Elneny
There are a few Arsenal supporters who haven’t given Mohamed Elneny their full support, but he’s been tipped by some to be a real hidden star this season.
Much like Xhaka, the former Basel man isn’t afraid of doing the dirty-work in order for Arsenal’s more attacking players to go forward with more freedom.
If anything he is a luxury for a manager like Wenger. Had a busy pre-season and is likely to be involved from the start.
RM/RW: Theo Walcott
A strong performance against Manchester City might have seen Theo Walcott do enough to get in the Arsenal side for their opener this weekend.
He’s had a slow couple of seasons but some have tipped the former starlet to kick on this season and produce some of his better form. As competition for places hots up, Walcott really needs to show Wenger what he can do.
CAM/CF: Aaron Ramsey
Has been deployed in this role a number of times in Arsenal’s pre-season games, and he has looked extremely comfortable, just as he did at the Euros in France.
He shone for Wales in the tournament, which saw his side reach the semi-finals. If he plays well this season, Arsenal could do very well indeed.
LM/LW: Alexis Sanchez
With Olivier Giroud still not up to speed after his Euro 2016 commitments, we’re expecting Alexis Sanchez to start wide if they can bring Bony in.
We know what he’s about and after Chile’s Copa America win he should return to the Emirates full of confidence. Again, if he can stay in-form then he could be devastating for Arsene Wenger’s side again this season.
ST: Wilfried Bony
The Ivorian international really needs a new start after being frozen out at Manchester City.
His City future looks no more assured with Pep Guardiola at the reigns and if the rumours are true, he should really consider a move to the Emirates.
Bony is lining his pockets nicely at the Etihad but if its competitive first-team action he wants then Arsenal would be the perfect move.
