Who Should Start for Arsenal in Their Encounter with Portsmouth?

With an emphatic 6-1 away thrashing of Everton to open their Premiership campaign, Arsenal now take on Portsmouth at the Emirates. It's a tough game for the Gunners, but one in which Arsene Wenger's side will be looking to take all three points.

So who should start?

Defence

After two strong performances against Everton and Celtic in the Champions League playoff, Wenger is likely to keep his dominating back four the same. Thomas Vermaelen, who has just played his second game for the North London side, will be looking to keep up his impressive form.

William Gallas will partner him with Bacary Sagna on the right and Gael Clichy on the left. Manuel Almunia will take the keeper role.

Midfield

The Arsenal midfield has been outstanding in their opening encounters. Wenger has opted to use a three-man midfield consisting of Denilson, Cesc Fabregas, and Alexandre Song.

Song will take the holding midfield role, whilst Denilson lays back and Fabregas takes the more attacking approach. Abou Diaby may be picked ahead of Denilson to give a more attacking push.

Jack Wilshere could make a surprise start, but it is unlikely. Welsh sensation Aaron Ramsey will probably star off the bench, as will promising talent Fran Merida.

Forwards

Wenger is likely to employ the three up front as it seems to be a dominant attacking force. Dutch maestro Robin van Persie will star in the middle, with lanky Danish sharpshooter Nicklas Bendtner on the right and Russian star Andrei Arshavin covering the left flank.

Eduardo Da Silva and Carlos Vela both look very promising but will have to settle for bench roles.

Substitutes

Wenger has seven spots to choose from, and as we know, up to three will actually see playing time. Vito Mannone will immediately take the keeper role, with Mikael Silvestre having the bench defensive duties.

If Denilson starts ahead of Diaby, then Diaby will sit on the bench (and vice versa). Ramsey and Merida are also likely to be named on the interchange, with Carlos Vela and Eduardo being the strikers on the bench.

So to recap:

                          Goal Keeper: Manuel Almunia

Right Back: Bacary Sagna                                       Left Back: Gael Clichy

                   Center Back: William Gallas   Center Back: Thomas Vermaelen

                                     Holding Midfielder: Alexandre Song

                  Central Midfielder: Denilson     Central Midfielder: Cesc Fabregas

Right Striker: Nicklas Bendtner                Left Striker: Andrei Arshavin

                              Central Striker: Robin van Persie

It should be a routine win for the Gunners and a win that will only increase their authority as genuine trophy winners.