New Signing To Start – Likely Arsenal Line Up To Face Liverpool

Arsenal will kick off their 2016-2017 Premier League campaign on Sunday when they take on Liverpool at the Emirates stadium. The Gunners have been in scintillating form this summer, having won 4 and drawn one. The fans were again left frustrated last season as Wenger’s men failed to win that much awaited Premier League title, worsened by the fact that all the other big team struggled for consistency. Wenger knows that one more season without the league title could bring an end to his Arsenal reign sooner rather later. The Frenchman was the only manager in the top five leagues across Europe not to sign an outfield player.

This summer hasn’t been much different, after the initial signing of Granit Xhaka, transfer activity has halted to a stop. There was already a desperate need to sign a quality striker to take the goal scoring burden off Olivier Giroud’s shoulders but with Gabriel and Mertesacker injured and the season about to kick-off, Wenger has been pushed into a frantic search for central defender, given that Chambers and new signing Holding are the only fit centre-backs in the squad right now. Here is the predicted Arsenal starting XI that Wenger might opt for on Sunday.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Cech was outstanding in his first season at the Emirates and finished with the golden glove award. When fit, the former Chelsea keeper will be a sure shot starter and will be vital to how Arsenal do well next season. Against Liverpool, behind an inexperienced defence line, he will need to be on top of his game.

Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Nacho Monreal and Rob Holding

Wenger will be desperately looking for a centre back this week but it is unlikely that a defender will arrive before the Sunday afternoon encounter. Therefore one can expect Calum Chambers and Rob Holding to partner in the middle. The former Bolton player arrived last month and is still very inexperienced but will need to be at his best against Liverpool, if Arsenal are going to have any chance. Bellerin will slot in at right-back, with Monreal on the left side.

Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez.

Mesut Ozil has just arrived for preseason training and is likely to start on the bench on Sunday. Swiss midfielder Xhaka will start in central midfield alongside Coquelin. Xhaka has been in superb form since the Euros and will be very important to Wenger’s plan for next season. Cazorla will start in the number 10 role, with Chamberlain and Sanchez on the right and left wing respectively.

Striker: Theo Walcott

Giroud has just returned for preseason training this week, therefore will likely come off the bench later on in the match to get some match fitness. Walcott will start up front, even though the English international stated this week that he would like to return to the wings.