Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Girona

Arsenal take on Segunda División outfit Girona in their pre-season opener on Saturday evening.

Off the back of their Premier League title win, the Gunners are preparing for a campaign where they will be looking to defend the prize for the first time since the mid-1930s.

With several key players still on holiday after the World Cup, Mikel Arteta has the opportunity to give back-up options chances for minutes and he will be eager to see which of squad members could impress in the upcoming term.

Here's how Arsenal could line up against Girona.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Girona (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - With compatriot David Raya resting after Spain's World Cup win, Kepa will start between the sticks in his home nation, but he could make way during the game for new signing Illan Meslier.

Ben White (RB) - Having fought injury in the late stages of the season, he is back in full training and will start on the right side of defence in Jurriën Timber's absence.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - Not included in the squad for his nation's successful World Cup campaign, he has had a full summer's rest and will be fit and ready to play from the off, and will be looking to prove his worth with William Saliba set for a spell on the sidelines.

Riccardo Calafiori (CB) - Like his Spanish counterpart, he was not involved in this summer's tournament due to Italy failing to qualify so he should be prepared to start in Girona.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - Back in club training after Ecuador's round of 32 exit, he will take up the left back place in the team as a permanent member of the Arsenal squad following his move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Midfielders

Fabio Vieira (CM) - Staring down the barrel of an exit after an uneventful four-year spell with the Gunners, he will start in midfield in a last gasp bid to prove his ability to Arteta. However, it could be too little too late for Patrick's namesake.

Ethan Nwaneri (CM) - Another player who is fighting for his place at Arsenal, he has a chance to impress and will need to capitalise with a permanent or temporary departure from his boyhood club a real possibility this summer.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - Lewis-Skelly excelled in the midfield towards the end of last season, but he will be fighting for his place once again with Bruno Guimarães edging closer to a move to North London. A start in the first game of pre-season will be the beginning of that battle.

Forwards

Max Dowman (RW) - He was a brilliant asset to the Gunners in his breakthrough campaign and he is expected to be given more chances next season. That will begin as he starts at right wing tomorrow evening.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - Off the back of his first year with the club, he will be looking to build on the 21 goals he scored for Arsenal, and will be given a run-out in Saturday's first pre-season test.

Christos Tzolis (LW) - The first major signing of the summer has created plenty of excitement within the fanbase and he will have the chance to prove his quality with a start on the left flank in Girona.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Girona: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Hincapié; Vieira, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Gyökeres, Tzolis

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