When it comes to building up for the start of competitive football this season Mikel Arteta has already set something of a precedent. The Spaniard raised a few eyebrows in the summer by selecting the same starting XI for both of Arsenal's final two preseason friendlies against Chelsea and Sevilla.
Both sides were about as strong as the Spaniard could possibly select for after the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City had been confirmed. It stood the Gunners in good stead as they began the season like a house on fire, clearly benefitting from the chemistry they had built up in that short time.
Now Arteta faces something of a different task as he gears his side up for the return of Premier League football in just under two weeks. Having found the winning formula before, though, it's hard to see the Spaniard changing much.
