Premier League: Opinion - Arsenal's predicted starting XI for the 2019/20 season

Center Back - Rob Holding

Rob Holding should see a lot more action this season

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.

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Center Back - Sokratis

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is Arsenal's leader at the back

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.