Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Watford: Predicted starting XI – The muddled midfield

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

This week, there was some terrific news for Arsenal and all involved with the club: Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney returned to first-team training. Once they are up to speed and match fit, they will be the starting duo at the two full-back positions for the Gunners.

Sunday afternoon’s trip to Vicarage Rd is too soon for both. It will likely be a month or so until either is able to play a full 90 minutes in the Premier League, especially Bellerin who is returning from the dreaded ACL tear. But their reintroduction to training is nonetheless excellent news.

That puts pressure on the incumbent starters in their place, Sead Kolasinac on the left and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the opposite flank. The two will continue in the starting line-up for now, but they will know that their chances to win the starting job are coming to an end. Both, then, will be desperate for a good performance on Sunday.