Arsenal vs Manchester City: Predicted starting XI for massive opener

Centerbacks

Just about every positional battle is going to be a tough one to call going into this match-up and, ideally, for the rest of the season too. But centerback may be the most fluctuating of them all, as there are so many options and so many players prone to mistakes.

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Such is the purpose of internal competition, however, and that’s what we have going on here. Let the bad ones weed themselves out, correct their form and get back into the mix, like a carousel of defensive competency.

Sokratis is going to start. Much like Leno, I don’t see why you buy the guy if you don’t intend to throw him out there. Plus, as a believer in baptisms by fire, I love to see players tossed into the fray for a high-stress match. Let them sink or swim.

Who starts next to Sokratis was supposed to be a tougher decision, but it’s hard to imagine it not being Shkodran Mustafi, who has had a near-perfect preseason.

I expected Calum Chambers to be more in then mix (as of writing, the reported loan move to Fulham had yet to be made official), but Emery seemed less inclined to get him starting minutes, so it’s looking like Mustafi and Sokratis will be the way to go.

Next up, let’s round off the defense with some fullbacks.