How the North Londoners could lineup against City.
It’s the first competitive match of the 2014/15 season for Arsenal and Manchester City as the FA Cup winners take on the Premier League champions at Wembley Stadium.
Although often considered an unimportant game this is the curtain raiser for the new campaign and will be the first chance for many fans to see their new signings in action.
The Gunners have been busy in the transfer market and three of their new faces feature in the predicted starting XI from CaughtOffside.
GK – Wojciech Szczesny
With new £3.2m man David Ospina struggling with a thigh problem Szczesny is the only available first team goalkeeper and having not played at the 2014 World Cup should be fresh and raring to go.
RB – Mathieu Debuchy
The first of the new signings as the France international was a £12m purchase from Newcastle United this summer and will feature at right-back in the place of new City signing Bacary Sagna.
CB – Calum Chambers
Another new face, with the 19-year-old Chambers having been acquired from Southampton for £16m and with Per Mertesacker unavailable and Thomas Vermaelen set to complete a £15m move to FC Barcelona, the teenager is likely to play in central defence.
CB – Laurent Koscielny
Supporting the youngster will be a much more established figure, with Koscielny proving over the past 12 months that he is among the best centre-backs in the whole of the Premier League.
LB – Kieran Gibbs
With Nacho Monreal unreliable Gibbs is certain to be the preferred left-back under Arsene Wenger during the next season and if he can stay fit this could be a good year for the 24-year-old.
CM – Mikel Arteta
With Vermaelen on his way there’s every chance that Arteta will be promoted from vice-captain to full-time skipper, but his on field performances do need to improve.
CM – Jack Wilshere
Since breaking onto the scene as a talented youngster the development of Wilshere has been slower than hoped and the 22-year-old needs to start proving he is one of the best footballers in England.
CAM – Aaron Ramsey
Last season the Welshman proved any of his doubters wrong with his fine performances for the North Londoners and is Ramsey can avoid injury he could well show himself to be world-class.
RW- Alexis Sanchez
The big new arrival at the Emirates Stadium this summer was the £35m purchase of Sanchez from FC Barcelona and big things are expected of the Chile international.
ST – Yaya Sanogo
Olivier Giroud still has fitness concerns and with Sanogo scoring four against Benfica at the Emirates Cup, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 21-year-old get the nod ahead of his fellow Frenchman.
LW – Santi Cazorla
Completing the XI is an attacking midfielder who started last term slowly, but improved as time went on, although don’t be surprised to see Joel Campbell featuring in the game at some point.
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