Arsenal Transfer News: Picking a Starting XI Without Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie is gone.

The Gunners striker is there no longer after completing a transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United over the summer transfer window (per BBC Sport).

He isn't coming back—not that many Gunners fans want him back right now—and with the English Premier League season only a few days away, Arsenal's starting side will take on a whole new look without van Persie to lead the attack.

How will the Gunners operate this season? Let's take a at how their starting lineup would work without van Persie.

GK: Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny is clearly the top choice at the back for Arsenal. He ranked in the top five in the league last season for clean sheets and established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has a bright future at the Emriates and could consolidate his position at the back for many years to come with another strong showing this year.

LB: Kieran Gibbs

Let's not waste a whole lot of time here. This back line is pretty much set for the upcoming Premier League season.

Kieran Gibbs will start on the left this year, a position that he started 18 times for the Gunners last year and impressed in doing so. 

LCB: Thomas Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen is again another must-include in the Gunners' back line, especially after his strong performances for the club last season.

The Belgian international had an average match rating of 6.97 last season. Combined with the physical and attacking elements he brings to Arsenal's defense, he is an obvious choice again for this season.

RCB: Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny had a fantastic year for Arsenal last year, leading all defenders in appearances and average match rating. His season culminated in the 26-year-old earning a French national call-up for the 2012 European Championships.

Koscielny has a future at the Emirates for as long as he wants. He could develop into one of the top defenders in the English Premier League this season, if he isn't there already.

RB: Bacary Sagna

Before breaking his leg against Norwich City last season, Bacary Sagna was one of the Gunners' top defenders and an automatic selection at right-back for Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman is on the mend, though there are conflicting reports as to when he'll be back in the English Premier League.

The Daily Mirror's latest report suggests that he could miss the first three matches, meaning Carl Jenkinson acquires the right-back position. But Sagna gets his spot back automatically for mine when he is completely healthy.

DM: Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta must start for Arsenal this season and he must do so in the defending midfielders role, a position that he will thrive in this season.

The Spanish international is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League and will thrive behind the likes of Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski, just like he did with Robin van Persie last season.

He would be wasted as a substitute, particularly in light of the defensive help he brings to the club. He will start in midfield for Arsenal this year.

DM: Alexandre Song

According to The Guardian, Jack Wilshere won't return from injury for a while, meaning that the Alex Song will start for the Gunners in defensive midfield this year.

Song led the club in assists last season. His importance to the club is shown through the emphatic denial that manager Arsene Wenger put on the potential transfer by the midfielder to Barcelona over the summer transfer window (per ESPN).

When Wilshere does return, it will be interesting to see whether Song keeps his starting spot. But seeing as that's still months away, it's all his for now.

LF: Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla is a huge signing for Arsenal and could well be their most important asset in attack this season. With more than  40 international appearances for Spain at just 27 years of age, his record speaks for itself.

I've gone with him out on the left here—a position where he often starts. But as highlighted by FourFourTwo, he will play right throughout midfield. Thus whilst he might start on the left, he will operate in behind the striker and often swap with the central midfielder.

Think of him like a central winger—a concept that Zonal Marking explains well. He can do everything throughout midfield for the Gunners—attack, defend, cross, score goals—and will show just how important he is to this team during the year.

CF: Lukas Podolski

Arsene Wenger knew what he was getting when he signed Lukas Podolski—a strong, dominant striker who knows how to score goals and make those around him play well. He is experienced and still more than capable of having a stellar year this season.

I like him in behind the striker here, rather than out on the wing. As mentioned previously, I think he and Cazorla will often interchange throughout matches depending on what the attack requires and the defense shows. But for the most part, he will remain in the middle.

The 27-year-old has a plethora of attacking options around him and is bound to find himself on the scoresheet several times this year as a result.

RF: Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott starts for me on the right-hand side here over Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, though the three will interchange frequently throughout the season. And for me, this could finally be the year that he "comes good" for the Gunners.

The 23-year-old's pace and skill are a huge asset on the right flank for Arsenal and will benefit greatly from having quality finishers in the middle in Podolski and Giroud.

I wouldn't read anything into his withdrawal from England's recent match with "injury" (per The Daily Mail); Walcott will be back and firing this year for the Gunners, looking to improve on the eight goals and eight assists he netted for the club last year.

ST: Olivier Giroud

Arsenal really need someone to step up to fill the void left by Van Persie this season, and that player could well be former Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud.

Brought into the club over the summer transfer window, Giroud brings a great aerial presence and strong finishing ability and could relish being the high point of the Gunners' attack this season.

After netting 23 goals in 37 appearances last season, the 25-year-old has shown he knows how to find the back of the net. With an even stronger midfield behind him this year than last, he could reap similar rewards for Arsenal.

Starting XI and Final Thoughts

Some final thoughts before I turn it over to you, the readers, to let me know what you think of Arsenal's starting side this year without Robin van Persie.

1. This is a very strong squad. The beauty of Arsenal's squad is that even without Van Persie, they have a deep and talented roster. Their starting side is interchangeable. We're likely to see several combinations used throughout the year, which should produce great results for the Gunners.

2. Theo Walcott is under immense pressure. I really like Theo, but given that the likes of Gervinho and Oxlade-Chamberlain are sitting on the bench, there's a lot of pressure on him to perform. Gervinho can fit in right throughout midfield, but The Ox in particular will keep a lot of pressure on Walcott to perform week-in and week-out.

3. Cazorla and Podolski is a dream relationship. This is a title-winning relationship for mine—two very good players who can interchange throughout any given match. Cazorla starts on the left and drifts in. Podolski starts in the middle but also brings a great attacking option down the left.

Both are intelligent, clever and feed their teammates well. A good player makes his teammates play well. Both Cazorla and Podolski will do just that this season.

What would your starting lineup look like without Robin van Persie?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com