Who Should Start for Arsenal Against Everton?

Arsenal will open their Premiership campaign with a tough encounter against David Moyes's Everton. The FA Cup Runner-ups are doughty performers and the clash is sure to be a nail biter.

Arsenal will be keen to get a good start to its season after the awful start the Gunners conceded last season. After two horrid months of football, Arsene Wenger's men were already out of title contention.

So who should start for Arsenal?

Goal Keeper

First choice keeper Manuel Almunia is fit and firing and would be the obvious starter. Lukas Fabianski is likely to take the bench. Almunia has now had two solid full Premiership seasons, and will no doubt be looking to show off his reliable, consistent shot-stopping in 2010.

Defenders

With Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy both fit, they will definitely take the left and right flanks, respectively. William Gallas, with his experience and leadership, will be the obvious starter for the right center defender which leaves Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos and Thomas Vermaelen for the left center defender.

Vermaelen is currently suffering from a leg injury and even if the only summer signing for Arsenal does return to fitness in time for the game, Wenger is unlikely to start him as the Austrian is stilling adapting to the pace and physicality of the English game.

Djourou also picked up a knock to his knee whilst on international duty, the Swiss now has experience under his belt and many see this as the season Djourou becomes the next Tony Adams.

It looks increasingly likely that Senderos will start against the club that was rumoured he would depart to. If the tall, imposing Swiss defender does happen to depart, Alexandre Song will fill in.

Back line

Right back: Bacary Sagna, Right Center Back: Philippe Senderos

Left Back: Gael Clichy, Left Center Back: William Gallas

Midfield

The Arsenal midfield was highly critized last season and many see the defensive side of the midfield, the main cause of Arsenal's trophy drought. However, the likes of Denilson, Alexandre Song and Abou Diaby have all grown up and you can be sure this is the season we see men, not boys.

Cesc Fabregas will undoubtedly start in the central midfield with the captain armband wrapped tightly around his bicep. However, Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky are both suffering from injuries which means magician Andrei Asharvin and speedster Theo Walcott will start on the wings.

Jack Wilshere, the teenage sensastion is unlikely to get a start but will hopefully see some playing time off the bench.

As for who partners Fabregas in the central midfield, Arsene Wenger will probably go with Alexandre Song due to his strength and defensive presence. Denilson and Diaby will most likely play the bench.

Right Wing: Theo Walcott, Right Center Midfield: Cesc Fabregas

Left Wing: Andrei Asharvin Left Center Midfield: Alexandre Song

Forwards

The most consistent and best performing positional group of 2008/2009. However, Arsenal has lost Emmanuel Adebayor who was the second top scorer for the Gunners behind Robin van Persie.

Van Persie is the core of the strikers and now it is his season to become a real leader and force. Last season the footballing world witnessed what the Dutchman could do when he stays fit for a full season, notch 20 goals.

This season van Persie needs to lead from the front and guide this Arsenal attack. He will play the second striker role whilst Nicklas Bendtner will take the main striking role.

Up until Christmas last season Bendtner played like a League One striker but come the new year the lanky Dane stepped up and performed, grabbing 15 goals for the season.

Bendtner is another one who is no longer considered a youngster, this is a real chance for the Danish sharp shooter to do what Adebayor did in 2007/2008 and become the force striker.

Carlos Vela will be on the bench and will hopefully be injected into the fray sometime into the second half. Eduardo is apparently still injured.

Left Striker: Robin van Persie

Right Striker: Nicklas Bendtner

Substitutes

With seven places on Arsenal bench, one is automatically taken by reserve keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Six places which ideally, two defenders, two midfielders and two strikers. However, Wenger will likely have one defender, four midfielders and one striker.

Johan Djourou should take the defenders spot, Abou Diaby, Denilson, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere for the midfielders and Carlos Vela for the striker role. But that could easily be changed. Wenger has the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore, Emmanuel Eboue, Thomas Vermaelen, Henri Lansbury and Mikeal Silvestre, in his ranks.

Bench: Lukas Fabianski, Abou Diaby, Denilson, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela, Johan Djourou

Starting Lineup     

                                                  Keeper: Manuel Almunia

Right Back: Bacary Sagna                                                            Left Back: Gael Clichy

             Right Center Half: William Gallas  Left Center Half: Philippe Senderos

                                                                       Left Central Midfielder: Alex Song

                     Right Central Midfielder: Cesc Fabregas(C)

Right Wing: Theo Walcott                                                     Left Wing: Andrei Asharvin

                                                    Left Striker: Robin van Persie

                                               Right Striker: Nicklas Bendtner

Bench: Lukasz Fabianski, Abou Diaby, Denilson, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela, Johan Djourou

Needless to say, that team does have the potential to win the league.