Arsenal: Next season’s predicted starting XI

Front Three

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will define what happens with Arsenal’s front three positions. He will turn 31 this summer with one more year on his contract. Anything can happen, from he is sold to offered a bumper new deal. However, if I had to predict what will happen, I believe the Gunners will be forced to sell.

That leaves the left-wing position open. However, rather than reinvest the Aubameyang money in a like-for-like replacement, I have Arsenal signing Jonathan David instead, the Canadian taking Mesut Ozil’s place in a central position. Instead, Bukayo Saka is promoted up the pitch after his tremendous performance at left-back this season to become Arsenal’s starter at the position. Gabriel Martinelli will also push him hard, and the two will likely rotate as the season progresses.

Alongside Saka, the same two starters for much of this season will continue in their roles: Nicolas Pepe as a high and wide right-winger, who is tasked with isolating the opposing full-back, burning past them, before creating and scoring goals; and Alexandre Lacazette as the focal point centre-forward.

Ultimately, predicting what Arsenal will do ahead of next season is nigh-on impossible. They have so much work to do and so many different ways in which they could do it that predicting what will come is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, one thing that is sure: change is afoot at the Emirates.