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Arsenal had a disappointing end to last season when they lost to Chelsea in the Europa League and finished 5th in the Premier League. Unai Emery's first season in charge was hardly memorable, but the team did show positive signs in flashes. The biggest problem in the team was a stark lack of consistency and that has been the main reason for their downfall.
However, those days are done and dusted and its time for a new season to take shape. Every team starts with a clean slate and so will the Gunners. Emery made some smart additions to the team this summer and the pre-season performances have been decent as well. Emery will have a picture forming of his first team for the upcoming season, and today, we discuss Arsenal's predicted starting eleven for the 2019/20 season.
Goalkeeper - Bernd Leno
The German custodian joined Arsenal last summer and had a pretty decent debut season. He managed to register 8 clean sheets, even though Arsenal were poor in defense. Bernd Leno was assured when called upon and showed composure at the back that was not justified by the faltering Gunners' backline. The German did not make too many mistakes and with Peter Cech retiring in the summer, he is set for an even bigger role for his club.
Leno has been impressive in pre-season too and he is the first choice goalkeeper in this Gunners team.
Right-back - Hector Bellerin
The Gunners do have one of the fastest right-backs in world football at their disposal and last season, Hector Bellerin was one of Arsenal's better players. He is blessed with speed, which suits Unai Emery's style of play very well, but the Spaniard is also very assured at the back. His tracking back and tackling make him a very dependable person on the pitch.
Bellerin missed the majority of last season due to a cruciate ligament rupture picked up halfway through the season. Before that, the Spaniard was fabulous for the Gunners, registering an 80% tackle success rate and picking up 5 assists from 19 appearances in the Premier League. He averaged 41 passes and more than 1 interception per game in the league. This season too, Bellerin should be one of the first names on the team sheet and is expected to return from injury by the end of September.
Left Back - Sead Kolasinac
The Bosnian made 24 appearances in the Premier League last season and picked up 7 assists. Sead Kolasinac was a consistent performer at the left-back position last season, regularly joining in attack, while also staying composed at the back. While there are still areas in his game that need improvement, especially tracking back, there's no denying that the Bosnian is Arsenal's best bet at the left-back position.
Kolasinac is a fast, attack-oriented full-back who loves going forward. He is not the most gifted in the final third, but his effort and desire is commendable. Last season, he had a tackle success rate of 62% and averaged 40 passes per game in the Premier League. This season too, Emery will have high hopes from Kolasinac.
Another contender for the role could be Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, who is linked to Arsenal.
Center Back - Rob Holding
After Shkodran Mustafi's horror show last season, it is safe to assume that the German international is no longer the first choice center back at Arsenal. Instead, Unai Emery could consider Rob Holding as the front runner for the position. He will turn 24 in September, and the Englishman has impressed in the handful of games he appeared in last season.
Holding is a defensively strong center back who likes tackling and intercepting the play. He is decent in the air and is also a good passer of the ball. One can expect to see a lot of the Englishman in the upcoming season.
There are also reports suggesting that David Luiz is close to joining Arsenal before the end of the Transfer window. If that happens, one can expect the Brazilian to start at the heart of the defense. New signing William Saliba is another contender for the role.
Center Back - Sokratis
The Greek international bring experience into this young Arsenal side and is the defensive rock that Unai Emery requires at the back. Sokratis joined the Gunners last summer from Borussia Dortmund and immediately became a fan-favorite. The Greek international is a no-nonsense defender who likes tackles and is also a great reader of the game. He is rarely bullied off the ball and is solid in the air as well. And last season, he even picked up 2 assists and 1 goal from 25 appearances in the Premier League.
Sokratis is the leader at the back that keeps this Arsenal defense together and last season, he suffered due to the very poor Mustafi by his side. This time, he has a young partner by his side and those two could very well define Arsenal's season.
Central Midfielder - Granit Xhaka
The Swiss International ran the show for Arsenal last season, orchestrating the play from deep. Everything good in the Arsenal camp went through his boot and his overall contribution to the game was outstanding. Granit Xhaka is a fantastic passer of the ball, and also reads the game very well. This allows him to anticipate the opponents moves and create openings for his teammates. Without the ball, the Swiss International is equally effective, breaking up play, making crucial tackles and also winning aerial duels. And the fact that he can also come up with goals from the midfield makes him vital to Emery.
Central Midfielder - Lucas Torreira
The Uruguayan joined Arsenal last summer, after catching the eye in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Lucas Torreira is the perfect foil to the silky Xhaka and is a terrier on the field. He is busy as a bee whenever Arsenal lose possession, closing down opponents, winning back the ball and getting those tackles in. And when the Gunners do move forward in attack, the Uruguayan regularly ventures into the box, taking up good positions and trying to set his teammates up. He also has an eye for the goal, and scored 2 and set up 2 goals from 34 appearances in the Premier League last season. This year too, Torreira can be expected to have a similar impact from midfield.
Central Attacking Midfielder - Dani Ceballos
When Arsenal signed Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid this summer, Unai Emery solved a glaring issue in the Arsenal team. Emery's tactics require a very dynamic number 10 and none of the current players in the team, including Mesut Ozil, fit the bill. However, Ceballos is tailor-made for the role, which is why Arsenal were so eager for his services.
The Spaniard is equally adept at a deeper role, so his versatility could be an asset in tight games when Emery could opt for Ozil's class to open up the opposition. Another player who could play this role is Philippe Coutinho, who is linked to a loan deal with the Gunners. If an agreement can be reached with Barcelona, the Brazilian would be the front runner for the No. 10 position.
Left Forward - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabon international was Arsenal's top goalscorer last season, scoring 31 goals and picking up 7 assists in all competitions. However, the reason he finds himself in the left forward role is because Unai Emery's system implements a very dynamic front three. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as such, is expected to switch position continuously through the games.
Aubameyang picked up the Premier League Golden Boot, scoring 22 goals in the league. His outstanding finishing skills have been on display in pre-season as well, and the Gabon international is also menacing on the counter.
Center Forward - Alexander Lacazette
The Frenchman has a great understanding with Aubameyang and is a proven goal scorer. Though he was not as prolific as his teammate last season, Alexandre Lacazette still managed to score 19 goals in all competitions. His hold up play is exquisite, while he is also a great reader of the game. The Frenchman has a tendency to be at the right place at the right time and also is an expert in bringing his teammates into play.
The Frenchman has fantastic finishing abilities and that is why he would lead the line for Arsenal.
Right Forward - Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal managed a coup of sorts when they convinced Nicolas Pepe to join them this summer. The Ivorian is one of the most talented wide forwards in the world and is blessed with the explosive combination of speed and skills that can torture even the best defenses in the world. In this Arsenal team, Pepe would flourish alongside like-minded players and a coach who would give him the freedom to express himself.
Last season, the Ivorian managed 22 goals and 11 assists in all competitions in Ligue 1. While the Premier League is a different monster, one can expect Pepe to have a similar impact for his new club. The thought of Aubameyang and Pepe galloping forward on the counter should make Arsenal fans rub their hands in glee.
