Arsenal kick off the 2022/23 Premier League season on Friday night, but a difficult test against Crystal Palace awaits at Selhurst Park.
After missing out on a top-four finish on the final day of last season and with the memory of the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford in similar circumstances 12 months ago, it's safe to say the Gunners are better prepared for the start of a new campaign following some good results in pre-season and shrewd signings in the summer transfer window.
In terms of team news, it's almost the same as it was for last weekend's Emirates Cup win over Sevilla as with Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fabio Vieira all expected to train, it means that Emile Smith Rowe is the only first-team player likely to be unavailable for selection.
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So with a near full-strength squad at his disposal, Arteta is facing somewhat of a selection headache when it comes to naming his line-up to face the Eagles as Arsenal go in search of avenging the 3-0 loss suffered in the corresponding fixture last season back in April.
Luckily for the Spaniard, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne and Bailey Keogh are on hand to provide their say on who should start at Selhurst Park.
Bailey Keogh - The Arsenal Way Writer
After success in the previous two pre-season matches, it is important that Mikel Arteta maintains consistency with his line-up. It is for this reason that the same team that played against Sevilla must also start against Crystal Palace.
Despite the potential return of both Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Oleksandr Zincheknko have both been excellent in the full-back positions and both deserve to maintain their place in the team. William Saliba deserves to start at centre-back following his dominance alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in pre-season.
The midfield currently picks itself with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in a more defensive pivot to give the defence the needed protection. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is one of the first names on the teamsheet as he will sit in front of Partey and Xhaka to create the chances.
New signing Gabriel Jesus should the line for Arsenal with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka supporting him from the wing positions giving the Gunners the needed directness in wide areas.
Keogh's Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Martinelli, Saka, Jesus
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
At the risk of sounding boring, I am a firm believer in not tinkering with a winning formula and think Mikel Arteta should adopt this approach against Crystal Palace. In fact, his decisions in Arsenal's last three friendlies may serve as a hint as to what line-up he will select.
After impressing against Chelsea and Sevilla, there's no reason to split up the William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes central defensive partnership, whilst Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko would be my picks at full-back as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney can be eased back into action.
With no signing confirmed before the 12pm registration deadline and Fabio Vieira lacking sharpness, the midfield trio effectively picks itself with Thomas Partey at the base of a 4-3-3 formation and newly-appointed club captain Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka operating as the two 'eights'.
Gabriel Jesus has been one of Arsenal's most impressive performers in pre-season and should lead the line on his official debut with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli joining the Brazilian in what could be the north London's outfit's best attacking trio.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal writer
This line up does largely pick itself if you've been paying any attention to Arsenal in pre-season. Aaron Ramsdale is an obvious choice in goal, particularly as Matt Turner might need some breaking in before coping with the atmosphere at Selhurst Park.
I wouldn't change the back four that has started the wins against Chelsea and Sevilla either. Given how well Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba have settled in there's just no reason to risk either Takehiro Tomiyasu or Kieran Tierney for me.
The midfield is again quite an easy pick. Perhaps if I wanted to go really attacking I might risk Fabio Vieira or Emile Smith Rowe, but given that this is a five sub game I see no reason to risk either from the start.
Up top I'm excited to see how Gabriel Jesus does on his debut. With his goal record in pre-season he is an obvious selection even if Eddie Nketiah has looked pretty good too.
Either side of him I'm going for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to complete a front three that could cause all manner of problems to the Palace backline.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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