Arsenal 2022/23 Pre-Season: Predicted XI vs Orlando City

Arsenal continued their perfect start to pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Everton at the weekend, and the second leg of their US tour sees them take on MLS outfit Orlando City on Wednesday night.

The Gunners barely got out of second gear against the Toffees as first-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus set them well on their way.

Mikel Arteta used 20 players in the weekend’s victory and similar rotation is expected in Orlando ahead of Saturday’s Florida Cup against Chelsea.

Arsenal 2022/23 pre-season: Predicted XI vs Orlando City

Thus, predicting the Spaniard’s starting XI is somewhat of a lottery for Wednesday’s game, but we’ve given it our best shot.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Keep feeding us William Saliba, please. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – It’s time to put Ramsdale between the sticks, surely? Matt Turner has started Arsenal’s last two outings and he kept his first Gunners clean sheet in Baltimore at the weekend as he played the entirety of the contest. Still, let’s see Rambo, eh?

Hector Bellerin (RB) – Takehiro Tomiyasu isn’t expected to make Wednesday’s squad which means that Bellerin, Cedric and possibly Ainsley Maitland-Niles will share the minutes at right-back.

Rob Holding (CB) – Holding’s yet to start a pre-season fixture, but he could finally get the gig in Orlando. As it stands, he’s fourth in the centre-back depth chart.

William Saliba (CB) – Arteta will want to give Saliba as many minutes as he can in pre-season. With White missing and Gabriel starting alongside the Frenchman against Everton, Saliba could get the nod once more.

Nuno Tavares (LB) – With Kieran Tierney nursing yet another injury, Tavares should start once again in this one. Although, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s impending arrival means it might be his last outing for the Gunners before a likely loan.

Midfielders

Pre-season minutes are crucial for young Albert Sambi Lokonga. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /

Mohamed Elneny (DM) – Arteta won’t want to give Thomas Partey too many minutes this summer considering that he’s made of glass. Thus, Elneny should come in for the Ghanaian, who’ll likely start against Chelsea in the Florida Cup.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – Lokonga has looked more at ease as a #8 in pre-season and Arteta should give him another chance to shine in a box-to-box midfield function with Elneny returning to the base of midfield.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – With Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe both battling minor knocks, Odegaard should retain his place in the XI and captain the side.

Forwards

Eddie Nketiah produced a spritely cameo off the bench against Everton. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Marquinhos (RW) – Bukayo Saka started at the weekend but it’d be a surprise to see him retain his place in the XI with Chelsea upcoming. Arteta should rotate here, and I’m sure some supporters would like to see what Marquinhos is all about. We’ve only seen glimpses thus far.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – Gabriel Jesus starred once again against Everton with Nketiah coming off the bench. I think the roles will be reversed on Wednesday with the latter returning to the starting XI after impressing last time out.

Reiss Nelson (LW) – This may be one of Nelson’s last opportunities to impress Arteta before the club returns to north London.