Predicting the Arsenal Starting 11 to Face Newcastle in EPL Opener

The start of a new season is perhaps one of the most important moments throughout the course of the entire campaign, as it sets the tone and the ambition of each team.

The Gunners face one of the toughest starts to their EPL campaign in years, facing Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United in their first three league games. Not to mention, they have two Champions League qualifying matches in-between the hectic EPL schedule.

It will be quite the task for Arsene Wenger, and he will need to pull off quite the balancing act, and frankly, if Arsenal walk away with five to seven points in their first three EPL matches, that would be quite the achievement.

If they walk away with all nine, perhaps that could be a sign of things to come.

While Wenger is yet to buy the rest of the players the fans have been begging for, this list features the top players already present in the Arsenal squad.

Here is a list of the most likely starting XI in the EPL opener against Newcastle, incorporating the players Wenger might pick up.

The formation is a 4-3-3, as usual.

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny

A breath of fresh air. That is literally what Szczesny was in the last season, after one stinking performance after another from Manuel Almunia, and after many errors displayed by Fabianski (before he found his form that is). Arsenal fans were suffering, after witnessing a mediocre goalkeeper protecting their goal.

Wearing the No.13 shirt, many fans would've preferred for him to wear the number 1 shirt instead, but perhaps Fabianski will wear that number instead.

With Szczesny, Fabianski and the under-rated Mannone fighting it out for who should be Arsene's first choice keeper, things are finally getting better at the Emirates Stadium.

However, it definitely should be Szczesny who starts as first choice, after his tremendous displays last season.

Despite that fatal error made by him in the Carling Cup final, the Polish keeper was even nominated by many as Arsenal's player of the season, the first time in quite a while someone had anything good to say about one of Arsenal's keepers.

Right Back: Bacary Sagna

Best Right-Back in the premier league two times in three years, Arsenal should be grateful they have a Right-Back as talented as Sagna.

The Frenchman was even able to add goals to his game last season, where he scored more than once, and one of them was against Everton, Arsenal won by two goals to one, Sagna's contribution proved crucial.

Sagna will be without a doubt the first choice Right-Back for Arsene Wenger, and has even the qualities to play at Centre-Back as well. In fact, some fans have stated their desire to place Sagna along with Vermaelen in Centre-Back, as both are solid defenders, but it's the Right-Back position where Sagna truly shines.

Right Centre-Back: Johan Djourou

Unless Wenger buys a defender soon, the Right Centre-Back will most likely by the Swiss defender.

The talented, yet inconsistent Djourou has made great progress last season, but was too inconsistent and was quite error prone at times.

While Koscielny is an option as well, the Djourou-Vermaelen partnership might be the one Arsene Wenger will opt for.

Good in the air, and calm at defense, Djourou can be counted on, but his errors have shown that Arsenal still need to buy a quality defender if they are to challenge for trophies this season.

Could've been worse, Wenger could start Squillaci, although that is highly unlikely.

Left Centre-Back: Thomas Vermaelen

Indeed, Arsenal have greatly missed the Belgian in the past season, most notably against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final, where Koscielny was clowning around, along with Szczesny.

The Belgian was the best purchase in the transfer season of 2009, but missed the majority of the entire campaign last season due to the regular injury curse at Arsenal.

This season, the Belgian international plans to be one of the main reasons Arsenal end their trophy drought, and so long Vermaelen stays fit, Arsenal's chances are greatly enhanced.

Of course, buying another quality defender to complement him wouldn't hurt either.

Left Back: Armand Traore

Knowing Arsene Wenger, it will most probably be Gibbs who starts the game. If stats are to be believed, it was actually Traore who impressed more during pre-season, faring better with the pundits and critics.

While both Traore and Gibbs are quite capable of attacking from the flanks, it's their defending that leaves much to be desired, and indeed both have made some mistakes that can be remembered in the past.Gibbs' slip against Man United in the Champions League, which ended Arsenal's dreams of playing the Champions League final, and Traore's performance against Chelsea in the Premier League two years ago, where Chelsea beat Arsenal to a pulp.

However, they both show talent, and both show promise that they can be counted on, assuming Vermaelen can lead them in defense that is.

Defensive Midfielder: Alexander Song

Unless something unpredictable happens, it will definitely be Song in the defensive midfielder role, as the Cameroonian has excelled in the middle of the park in recent years.

Song's presence will be crucial against the physicality of Newcastle, and will be reason for the players up-front to drive forward with confidence, as they know fully well that he's got their backs in case of a counter attack.

While Arsenal definitely need a cover player for Song, should he ever get injured, they should take comfort in the fact that the Cameroonian is usually fit, and almost always consistent.

Right Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey

With Wilshere and Fabregas having minor injuries, it might be Aaron Ramsey who fills the right midfielder position for the Gunners in their EPL opener.

Ever since he came back from injury, Ramsey has been steadily improving, and in due time will definitely be a regular in the Arsenal first team line-up.

The Wales captain has already won the hearts of Arsenal fans, and is determined to be one of the reasons Arsenal lift a trophy this season.

A player with vision and purpose, Ramsey is one to keep an eye on.

Left Midfielder: Samir Nasri

While indeed he's becoming more of a villain in the eyes of many fans, Gooners should not lose hope in Samir Nasri. If he knows what's best for his career, he should renew his contract with the Gunners in due time.

Nasri became a world class player under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, and while his performances cooled down in the later parts of the campaign, he still did show why he's regarded by many as Zidane's successor.

The Frenchman will face competition from Rosicky for the starting spot against Newcastle, but Wenger will probably start Nasri instead, and putting him in the Fabregas role.

Right Winger: Theo Walcott

Wenger will count on Walcott's speed to wreak havoc on the Newcastle defense.

While the Englishman stated many times his desire to play as a striker, Wenger will probably opt instead to play Walcott on the wings. It might be a real shame, seeing how Walcott is originally a striker.

Walcott still intends to contribute by not only assisting goals, but by scoring as well, stating that he wishes to break his previous record of 13 goals a season scored last season.

Should Walcott indeed break his record, and should Arshavin score the 15 goal target he desires, then it means those two intend to score a combination of 30 goals.

Should that happen, Arsenal will most definitely have a chance of lifting a trophy this season.

Left Winger: Gervinho

Yes indeed, he looks strange, and that glorious forehead of his is a site to behold, but this young man is truly talented.

Taking Clichy's number 22 shirt, the Ivorian equalled Clichy's total goals for Arsenal in his first game, scoring a brace in less than half-an-hour.

While it seems harsh to compare the stats between the two, due to Clichy being a Left Back and Gervinho playing up-front, it's still a nice stat to mention nevertheless.

Gervinho has the speed and the physicality to cope with the EPL, and that's probably a first for a winger at Arsenal, past purchases where not quite as physical, Walcott and Arshavin are proof of that.

With his first season for the Gunners edging nearer, Gervinho will definitely be one of the players Arsenal fans count on, and with his talents, Arsenal's chances of winning trophies can only increase.

Striker: Robin Van Persie

Easily the most important player at Arsenal, the Dutchman will be the man to lead Arsenal in the attack.

Van Persie currently holds the record for number of consecutive away goals, beating Drogba's previous record of six. His streak is still alive with nine goals, the Dutchman will look forward to extending his streak.

Also, Van Persie will hope to break his past EPL record of 18 league goals, and intends to surpass his previous record.

Not to mention that with the Fabregas saga still alive until this very day, Van Persie will be counted on by the entire Arsenal consortium, and will most likely be the Arsenal captain when the Spaniard departs.

With a world class striker at Arsenal's disposal, starting van Persie against Newcastle is an absolute no-brainer.