MIKEL ARTETA is set to make some thrilling debuts for Arsenal when they go to Crystal Palace on Friday night....CONTINUE READING
The Gunners will start the new Premier League season determined not to repeat history.
A year ago, on the first night of the Premier League season, newcomers Brentford embarrassed Arsenal by defeating them 2-0.
During the month of April, they were defeated at Selhurst Park by a score of 3-0 as their top four challenge fell apart.
After losing their first three matches in the previous season, Arteta, who is now 40 years old, will have reason to believe that his team is in a far stronger position to get off to a positive start this time around.
Despite already having a troublesome injury list, the Spanish manager will have no room for excuses thanks to the increased depth of his squad, which was bolstered by an additional £118 million spent this summer.
In the last preseason friendly for Arsenal, which took place a week ago, the Gunners defeated Sevilla 6-0, and newcomer Gabriel Jesus scored his first hat trick for the Emirates.
When Arteta brings his side south of the river, it is probable that he will keep the same eleven players on his team that thrashed the Spanish outfit.
Due to the fact that Bernd Leno, the goalkeeper who started the disastrous season for Brentford the year before and who has since been moved to Fulham, Aaron Ramsdale will begin the season in net for the club.
While William Saliba may now be given the opportunity to make his debut at centre back THREE YEARS after signing with the club for £27 million.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s recent injury has prompted Ben White to move to right back to make room for the Frenchman.
Hector Bellerin is back at Arsenal and was an unused replacement against Sevilla.
Left-back starter Kieran Tierney hasn’t played since Arsenal’s first preseason game against FC Nurnberg.
Oleksandr Zinchenko might debut at left-back.
