Arsenal predicted lineup vs Rangers: Nuno Tavares to start?

A predicted lineup? For a pre-season match? In July? Yes. Mainly because why not. It might only be Arsenal against Rangers at Ibrox but it’s still the football club we dedicate our lives to so lets get ino the spirit of the occasion.

Hopefully matters will go slightly better than they did when the summer kicked off at Easter Road. Arsenal weren’t exactly at the races as expected, particularly in the first half, and ended up losing 2-1.

Call pre-season off. It’s a shambles. Sack the manager and sell the players….right?

Of course not. It was more minutes in more unfit (or overweight) legs that will be essential in the coming weeks. There were minutes for some exciting academy players as well as for those who are destined for summer departures, including Reiss Nelson who is attracting interest from Premier League sides.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Rangers: Nuno Tavares to start for Gunners at Ibrox on Saturday with Folarin Balogun up front?

With Rangers being the last fixture before Arsenal jet off to Florida, it may be the final outing for a few of the squad who could end up staying behind to focus on their futures. Hopefully not in Laurent Koscielny style, that is.

As for those available on Saturday, Joe Willock had a groin issue that ruled him out of the Hibs defeat which he may return from, while Nuno Tavares could have his paperwork sorted out in time to make his first appearance in Arsenal colours.

Kieran Tierney returned to training early from his belated break in time for a hugely coincidental meeting at Ibrox. It’s surely going to be too soon for him having only had a few days of training but never rule out the Scot asking Mikel Arteta for a few minutes late on.

Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are the other two who look likely to return. The pair travelled to the Edinburgh training base but were left out of Tuesday’s clash, perhaps due to fitness, and both could earn minutes in Glasgow.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Arthur Okonkwo (GK) – Despite an unfortunate 45 minutes against Hibernian, Arteta insisted Okonkwo would get another chance at Ibrox and being the senior option among the club and not wanting to knock his confidence, he should start. Will likely come off after 45 minutes anyway, like most others.

Calum Chambers (RB) – Looking like being back and fit to play, Chambers could take Cedric’s place ahead of Hector Bellerin who Arsenal may be cautious with so as to not get him injured ahead a move elsewhere.

Rob Holding (CB) – Coming in to defence it could be the freshly shaved head of Rob Holding. Arteta is a tad short of central defenders so rotation could be in order.

Omar Rekik (CB) – With Harry Clarke being given the nod from the start against Hibernian, it could be Rekik’s opportunity in the starting lineup. Pablo Mari was the only player to play the full 90 minutes against Rangers therefore may not start.

Nuno Tavares (LB) – Were it not for Kolasinac playing 80 minutes against Hibernian then this likely wouldn’t have happened. He was the only left-back in the squad admittedly, but a chance from the off for Tavares could be on the cards with Tierney perhaps not yet up to speed.

Midfielders

Nicolas Pepe (RM) – May have missed a penalty on the day but the Ivorian’s 45 minutes were the best of any Arsenal player – not that it was a competition. He has clearly taken care of his body during the summer as he looked sharp, fit and agile with plenty of running in him.

Really positive to see.

Thomas Partey (CM) – A lot of the substitutions Arteta made in the previous outing could hint to what he will start with against the reigning Scottish champions.

Partey came on after the break and immediately lifted the quality across the pitch, which he may have the chance to do again.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (CM) – Should be another crack of the midfield whip for Maitland-Niles who was sloppy on occasion in the Hibernian defeat but nonetheless proactive and constantly seeking the ball to feet.

He may not be Arsenal quality in the position but it’s clear in his play that he favours the role.

Reiss Nelson (LM) – A switch of position for Nelson albeit one many supporters favour him to play in.

While Arteta lined up with a 4-4-2 against Hibs it played out almost exclusively as a 2-3-5 due to the amount of possession Arsenal had, and this will allow Nelson to take the second channel from the left and play infield with the bombing runs of Tavares to his side.

Forwards

Folarin Balogun (ST) – It’s a decision that many are hoping to see and one that is in with a chance of happening. Coming on at half-time for Eddie Nketiah last time out, it was Balogun who had the better 45 minute spell of the pair.

An awful early miss for Nketiah sadly can’t be put down to the fact it was the beginning of pre-season, meanwhile Flo showed willingness to take shots on whenever they presented themselves, regardless of the experienced bodies around him.

Both will probably get 45 minutes each and it would be nice to see Flo line up with the captain as they offer different qualities to complement each other.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – Which is exactly what will (might) happen!

To conclude a pre-season predicted lineup we have Aubameyang up top as he did in midweek. The combination with him and Nketiah doesn’t work – we also don’t care because it’s pre-season – but knowing Arteta won’t want defeat at his old stomping ground he may go for some big guns from the off.

It won’t be an easy game by any means and some pressure to set the tone early might do the trick.