Arteta’s preferred Arsenal lineup for 2021/22 season

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – With all the transfer dealings done and dusted for Arteta this summer, the obvious attacking casualty from it all is Nicolas Pepe.

Does he sneak ahead of Saka on the right wing? Of course not. Does he pip Smith Rowe to the left wing? No again.

How the Ivorian reacts to the new favoured front four will be down to him but there is no way on planet earth that Saka doesn’t own the right wing for the coming season and beyond. It’s his best fit and little will change that.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – It’s no secret that another centre-forward was being eyed up during the window. Planning had to happen for when Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah left. Sadly, neither did and the striker situation was as you were.

All of which still leaves Aubameyang to lead the line. The captain has the manager’s trust having made it abundantly clear with his refusal to drop him even in times of poor form, thus nothing will change.

With the right technical bodies around him and the blend of creators to find his runs via different methods and from a variety of areas across the pitch, he can thrive. Arsenal’s season is mostly dependent on that.

Emile Smith Rowe (LW) – Being out on the left wing looks set to be Smith Rowe’s spot for the foreseeable future. But it’s not really the left wing, is it?

The addition of Tomiyasu reaffirms the five lanes of attack Arteta implements, with Tierney holding the width on the left and Smith Rowe drifting into left half-space zones. He flourished there last season and it means Arsenal have creativity in three zones of their attack.

Just like Aubameyang finding the net regularly, Smith Rowe and Saka will be tasked with adding more goals and assists to their game. Now the No. 10, that’s part of Smith Rowe’s job role.

We have every faith he can do so.