Arsenal are set to lock horns with Italian side Fiorentina in their next game in the International Champions Cup in North Carolina.
The Gunners impressed against the German champions Bayern Munich in their previous outing in the ICC as they secured a 2-1 win over the Bavarians, and will be keen to keep their winning momentum intact.
We expect Unai Emery to field several young players once again.
Arsenal team news
The north London based outfit are still without the services of right-back Hector Bellerin who has just begun light training.
Laurent Koscielny is unavailable as well after a rift with the club.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Fiorentina (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Bernd Leno is expected to start as the goalkeeper. Leno is expected to be the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper next season, and needs to be in peak condition.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Nacho Monreal started against Bayern Munich and fared well. However, we could see Carl Jenkinson and Sead Kolasinac feature against Fiorentina.
Sokratis and Calum Chambers are likely to feature at the heart of the defence. Chambers had a decent time on loan at Fulham last season, and he will hope to feature regularly for Arsenal next season.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka is undoubtedly one of the most important players in Emery’s side, and he could get the nod to start in the central midfield once again alongside Joe Willock to dictate the tempo of the game.
Arsenal will rely heavily on the creativity of Mesut Ozil, and the former German international could start as the central attacking midfielder once again. It will be interesting to see if he can be consistent with his performances, and needs a good pre-season behind him.
Attack
Bukayo Saka is an exciting prospect, and he is likely to start on the left-wing. Armenian attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan could feature on the right-wing.
Eddie Nketiah will be hoping to get a start after his match-winning display against Bayern Munich.
The young attacker is an immensely talented player, and Emery has to get the best out of him to potentially make him another option next season as the Gunners don’t have big money to spend this summer.
