Arsenalcould have a stunning new-look XI for their Premier Leaguecurtain-raiser against Manchester United. Mikel Arteta's side begin their top-flight campaign with a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17.
The Gunners have been active in the summer transfer window, spending in excess of £150million on five players so far. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera have arrived through the Emirates Stadium doors, with Viktor Gyokeres soon expected to become the sixth to sign.
Gyokeres, 27, landed in London on Friday to undergo his medical and put the finishing touches on his £55m plus £8.5m add-ons move from Portuguese side Sporting CP. Once the deal has gone through, Gyokeres is expected to travel out to South East Asia to meet his new teammates on their pre-season tour.
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Although a deal for Gyokeres would take their spending to above £200m, the Gunners are not anticipated to stop there. Indeed,The Independent has reported that Mikel Arteta's side are set to turn their attention to making Eberechi Eze the club's next summer addition in a blockbuster move from Crystal Palace.
It's added that those close to the player are confident that a deal will be done in the next couple of weeks. Arsenal are hoping to agree a fee that comes to around £60m, rather than his £68m release clause.
Both Gyokeres and Eze would take Arsenal to the next level and complete a startling new-look starting XI heading into their season opener at United. But how could the Gunners line-up in Manchester?
In goal, David Raya would retain his place as Arsenal's first-choice stopper. While I think that Kepa Arrizabalaga is going to run him close and provide much-needed competition, Raya is Arteta's No.1.
Moving down to the four-man defence and Jurrien Timber would get the nod ahead of Ben White, just because he stepped up when it mattered last season and has looked excellent since recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear. William Saliba and Gabriel would make up the central defensive pair.
On the left-hand side of the back four would be Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old has been nothing short of sensational since breaking into the Gunners first-team and he would be selected ahead of Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko, though there is talk about the Ukraine international moving on.
Looking at the midfield three and Martin Zubimendi would become the first new arrival to make up the new-look XI, following his summer move from Real Sociedad. Declan Rice would push forward into a more No.8 role alongside Martin Odegaard, who would complete a dynamic-looking midfield trio.
Into the front line and this is where Arsenal have got serious competition for places. Bukayo Saka, however, is going to be a mainstay on the right-hand side, while Gyokeres would get the pick through the middle. Eze therefore would be shifted out to the left - a position he has played several times before.
Arrizabalaga, Karl Hein, Mosquera, Jakub Kiwior, White, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Norgaard, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus would complete the rest of the Arsenal squad, though there is expected to be players leaving before the end of the transfer window.
Arsenal new-look starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
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