Arsenal wrap up their tour of the United States at the home of Stan Kroenke’s Rams on Wednesday night when they face Barcelona at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Gunners’ pre-season was plain sailing last year ahead of a majestic 2022/23 campaign, but it’s been much more of a mixed bag this time around. After being held by FC Nurnberg in Germany, Mikel Arteta’s side swatted aside Wayne Rooney’s MLS All-Stars before producing a disjointed display against Premier League rivals Man Utd.
Arsenal still have three games to play before they face Nottingham Forest in their league opener on 15 August, starting against a potentially depleted Barcelona on Wednesday. The La Liga champions had to cancel their first friendly against Juventus due to an illness outbreak.
Here’s how they could line up for their final game stateside this summer.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – Matt Turner probably deserves more minutes this summer, but Ramsdale’s poor display at the weekend will likely convince Arteta he needs more time between the sticks before returning back to base.
RB: Jurrien Timber – The Dutchman has slotted in seamlessly to Arteta’s framework and is poised to quickly emerge as a protagonist in north London despite strong competition at right-back.
CB: William Saliba – After missing the end of the 2022/23 season due to a back injury, Saliba returned to action at the start of pre-season and needs all the minutes he can get before the start of 2023/24.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – Kiwior has been utilised in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s inverted left-back role this summer but could be utilised at the heart of the defence after Gabriel’s shoddy showing against United. The Brazilian didn’t look comfortable in the middle of a back three in possession.
LB: Kieran Tierney – The Scot could yet leave Arsenal if the right offer comes in this summer, but Tierney’s conducted himself admirably in pre-season and deserves more minutes. With Timber inverting off the right, Tierney could function as the left-sided centre-back in possession.
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DM: Thomas Partey – It wasn’t an easy outing for Declan Rice against Bruno Fernandes last time out and Arteta will likely return Partey to the fold for Wednesday’s clash in a bid to establish greater midfield familiarity.
CM: Leandro Trossard – The Belgian has all the makings of an effective #8 in Arteta’s system and Havertz’s woes last time out suggests the boss will make a change on Wednesday.
CM: Martin Odegaard – The skipper tried his utmost to influence proceedings in New Jersey and is imperative to the midfield balance given Arteta’s alternative options for the role.
RW: Bukayo Saka – After escaping Lisandro Martinez’s attempted murder on Saturday, Saka will almost certainly be back in the starting XI against La Blaugrana. He’ll fancy his chances one-vs-one against Marcos Alonso.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Eddie Nketiah’s endured a tough summer, while Folarin Balogun doesn’t appear to be in Arteta’s plans. It’s a given Jesus starts in LA.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Supporters would love to see Emile Smith Rowe earn minutes, but if Tierney starts at left-back with Timber inverting, it’d make sense for Martinelli to start wide left given his capacity to hug the flank and isolate his opposing full-back one-on-one.
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On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeou discussess Kieran Tierney’s future, the Kylian Mbappe rumours and Kai Havertz. If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
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