Predicting Arsene Wenger's Opening Arsenal Premier League XI
This weekend, Arsenal face Chelsea in the Community Shield. Although the team selection should be an indicator as to Arsene Wenger's preferred XI, it's only when competitive action kicks off that we'll truly know how the Gunners boss envisages his team lining up during 2015/16.
It seems that the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck will miss the opening Premier League fixture against West Ham due to rest and rehabilitation, respectively. However, aside from that, Wenger has an unusually healthy squad to choose from.
In this piece, we predict Arsenal's team for the opening day visit of the Hammers to the Emirates Stadium.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
1 of 11
Having arrived from Chelsea for a hefty fee, Petr Cech is certain to start the season as Arsenalโs No. 1.ย
Although David Ospina filled the position commendably at the back end of last season, Cech still represents a step up. Arsene Wenger will be eager to get him accustomed to playing behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as soon as possible.
The Arsenal fans will be keen to see how the former Chelsea man fares on his competitive debut. The expectation is that he will bring calmness and experience to Arsenalโs defensive setup, eliminating some of the panic that has plagued the Gunners over the past decade.
For his part, Ospina will simply have to bide his time and hope for an opportunity to impress in the cup competitions. Having overcome a similar scenario to edge ahead of Wojciech Szczesny last season, heโll be optimistic of ousting Cech. However, the Czech international is likely to be a more difficult obstacle to clear.
Cechโs Premier League bow will undoubtedly be one of the major talking points of Arsenalโs opening day.
Right-Back: Hector Bellerin
2 of 11
At right-back Arsene Wenger must choose between youth and experience.
On the one hand, he could opt for Hector Bellerin. The Spaniard was one of the breakout stars of last season, having begun the campaign as fourth-choice right-back and ended it as a regular starter. His sprints down the flank offer Arsenal a constant threat on the overlap.
Mathieu Debuchy is a sturdier alternative. What he lacks in attacking effervescence he makes up for with defensive nous. The Arsenal boss now has two reliable options to call upon in this position.
When Debuchy returned at the back end of 2014/15, Bellerin retained his place. It seems Wenger is ready to give the younger man his go.
Centre-Back: Per Mertesacker
3 of 11
Per Mertesacker is likely to lead the team out against West Ham.
After a difficult start to the season in 2014/15, the giant German recovered from his post-World Cup hangover to recover his poise and positional sense. Arsene Wenger is certain to rely on Mertesacker as the chief organiser at the heart of his back four.
Centre-Back: Laurent Koscielny
4 of 11
As long as Per Mertesacker is a regular in the team, Laurent Koscielny will remain a key player.
The two come as a pair, dovetailing superbly to cancel out the weaknesses of each other. Mertesacker keeps Koscielnyโs impetuous streak in check, while the Frenchman bails out his German team-mate when his lack of pace is exposed.
Petr Cech, Mertesacker and Koscielny will surely form the key triumvirate at the back for Arsenal in 2015/16.
Left-Back: Nacho Monreal
5 of 11
Over the course of last season, Nacho Monreal edged ahead of Kieran Gibbs as Arsene Wengerโs first-choice left-back. A spell at centre-half appeared to toughen Monreal up, and he actually looked like a superior full-back when he returned to his preferred position.
Nothing thatโs happened over the course of the summer has changed that. The solid Spaniard seems set to continue as part of the back four that led Arsenal to FA Cup triumph in 2014.
Central Midfield: Francis Coquelin
6 of 11
A year ago, no-one would have believed that Francis Coquelin would be named in this XI. Itโs an indicator of his remarkable progress that itโs now almost impossible to conceive of an Arsenal team without him.
Coquelin will be one of the first names on Arsene Wengerโs teamsheet. His tenacious style is almost unique within the Arsenal squad, and he plays a vital role in protecting the back four.
Central Midfield: Santi Cazorla
7 of 11
Since switching to a deep-lying midfield role halfway through last season, Santi Cazorla has been a revelation. He is arguably now playing the most eye-catching football of a somewhat spectacular career.
Great teams are built on effective partnerships, and the combination of Cazorla and Francis Coquelin seems to work a treat. Together, the matador and the muscle should have enough to dominate West Ham in the middle of the park.
Right Wing: Aaron Ramsey
8 of 11
If Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are picked in central midfield, Arsene Wenger must find some other way to accommodate Aaron Ramsey in his team.
Last season, Wenger occasionally deployed Ramsey on the right flank. From there, he could make diagonal runs into the box in the fashion of Freddie Ljungberg. Ramsey might not be as comfortable on the flank, but itโs an effective use of his intelligent movement and finishing ability.
He also offers a measure of protection for Hector Bellerin, who is a touch prone to charging forward.
No. 10: Mesut Ozil
9 of 11
Mesut Ozil may wear the No. 11 on his back, but he is Arsenalโs No. 10 on the field.
Since returning from injury in January, Ozil has been deployed in his best position as a central attacking midfielder. The results have been good, with Ozil finally beginning to live up to his reputation as one of the continentโs most creative players.
Arsenalโs fortunes in 2015/16 will be linked directly to Ozilโs capacity to replicate that form throughout the season. If he can provide the spark, the Gunners could begin the season firing on all cylinders.
Left-Wing: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
10 of 11
This is a huge season for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With a full pre-season behind him, heโll be hoping to overcome the injury problems that have dogged him in recent years to become a fully-fledged first-team player.
With Alexis Sanchez absent for the early part of the campaign, Arsene Wenger must decide between Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott for the wide attacking position.
Oxlade-Chamberlainโs all-round game is likely to give him the edge. Although Walcott provides the greater goal threat, he can lack positional discipline and tactical intelligence.
Centre-Forward: Olivier Giroud
11 of 11
With Danny Welbeck sidelined, Olivier Giroud is likely to begin the season as Arsenalโs first-choice centre-forward.
Speculation persists over whether or not Giroud is truly good enough to fire Arsenal to the title, but he seems to retain the faith of Arsene Wengerโfor now. Should a superior option come on to the transfer market, that could quickly change.
Nevertheless, his strong physique and ability at set pieces could be useful against a West Ham team packed with power.
What would your Arsenal XI be for the opening Premier League game? Let us know below.
.png?w=600 "Surprising Landing Spots for Top Potential 2026 NBA Free Agents")
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team ๐")
