What Should Arsenal's Starting Line Up Be In 2009/2010?

2009/2010 will see Arsenal attempt to end a disspointing four-year trophy drought. The North London side has not won a trophy since 2005, when they beat rivals Manchester United for the FA Cup.

They have the coach, a sufficent squad to challenge every competition they are entered in, and the fan base. Arsenal needs to ensure they stay injury free and play the correct team.

What should there starting line up be for 2009/2010?

Defense

The defense struggled at times last year, but this season, the Arsenal backline have something about them. With experienced center-halves Kolo Toure and William Gallas both looking in form, youngster Johan Djourou now with expierence under his belt, and the addition of former Ajax captian Thomas Vermaelen, the Arsenal back line is no longer shaky.

As usual, the two reliable Frenchmen Gael Clichy and Bacary Sanga will take the right and left back slot respectively, whilst Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Johan Djourou, and Thomas Vermaelen will fight for the central roles. Meanwhile Emmanuel Eboue, Philippe Senderos, and Mikeal Silvestre will likely to be given chances when injury and fatigue take their toll, or in the League and FA Cup.

Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore, are both capable of playing anywhere in the defence and the midfield. It's unlikely that either of the youngsters will find themselves in the starting 11, but could be seen as impact players off the bench.

As for the keeper role, Lukas Fabianski doesn't look like he could knock current dominant keeper Manuel Almunia out of first-choice goal keeper.

Back 4

Right Back: Bacary Sanga Right Center Back: Kolo Toure/Johan Djourou Left Center Back: William Gallas/Thomas Vermaelen Left Back: Gael Clichy.

Midfield

Arsenal's midfield were superb at some points of 2008/2010 and utterly dreadful in others. They have quality players, but something just doesn't seem to click for the Gunners.

The central midfield is the main problem. Cesc Fabregas, one of the best players in the world and the Arsenal captian, needs a central partner to take over the defensive duties whilst also providing a hint of spark.

Alexandre Song is probably the best suited defensively, but offers little in attack. Denilson is the opposite, whilst Abou Diaby is too attacking and inconsistent. Aaron Ramsey is still very young and inexpierenced but maybe this season he will shine.

Arsenal, however, have some of the best wingers in the world. Andrey Arshavin, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, and Nacer Barazite give immense speed and ability to the Arsenal wings. Unfortunately Samir Nasri has suffered a broken leg and will be out for at least 3 months

Starting 4

Right Wing: Theo Walcott/Tomas Rosicky Right Center Midfield: Cesc Fabregas(c)

Left center Midfield: Denilson/Alexandre Song/Abou Diaby Left Wing: Andrei Arshavin

Forwards

The Arsenal strikers were solid last season. Rarely did they look like they were struggling to find the back of the net; however, with the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor and Arsene Wengers ignorance not to replace him, Arsenal may have a shortened attack, although it is still very talented.

Naturally, Robin van Persie will take the second striker role and Nicklas Bendtner will be the imposing force upfront. Eduardo will take sometime to establish his form and will likely start on the bench for Arsene Wenger. Carlos Vela and Jay Simpson will likely see limited oppurtunity, and will undoubedtly play Cup football.

Bench

With 7 spots up for grabs, Fabianski will no doubt take the first spot followed by either Toure or Djourou and Gallas or Vermaelen. Rosicky or Walcott will swap bewteen starts and bench the same with Diaby. Eduardo will probably see the bench striker role which leaves Barazite, Wilshere, Vela, Simpson, Ramsey, Gibbs, Traore and Henri Laurensby to battle out for the remaining space.

There are also the likes of Silvestre, Eboue, Senderos, Vito Mannone and the phenomanal amount of youngsters to put their hand up as well.

Starting Line Up

Goal Keeper: Manuel Almunia

Right Back: Bacary Sagna  Center Backs: Kolo Toure, William Gallas Left Back Gael Clichy

Right Wing: Theo Walcott  Center Midfield Cesc Fabregas(C), Denilson Left Wing Andrei Arshavin

Strikers: Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner

Substitues: Lukas Fabianski, Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Alexandre Song

*awating Samir Nasri's return