Following their commendable 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids, Arsenal are due to take on Bayern Munich on Thursday in the International Champions Cup at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
Unai Emery has to deal with a lot of issues off the pitch, including a limited budget he has at his disposal this summer to beef up his artillery. Nonetheless, these pre-season outings are essential to identify the loopholes and work on them.
Although the Spaniard selected a relatively inexperienced lineup in the last game, we expect to see a number of senior faces against the German champions.
Arsenal Team News
Emery will miss the services of Laurent Koscielny and Alex Iwobi. The former has refused to travel with the squad while Iwobi was on international duty at AFCON.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP TO FACE BAYERN MUNICH (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Matt Macey was given the opportunity to showcase his credentials between the sticks against Colorado Rapids. However, Arsenal’s first-choice custodian Bernd Leno could get the nod to start against the German giants.
Defence
Attaining match fitness will be crucial for the north London outfit as they prepare themselves for the upcoming season and Emery might roll out a formidable four-man defensive wall this week.
Calum Chambers impressed against the MLS side and he is expected to start alongside Sokratis in central defence. Meanwhile, Nacho Monreal and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could feature as the full-backs in the starting lineup.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka is one of the most instrumental players in the system of the former Paris Saint-Germain manager. The Swiss international is likely to find himself stationed in central midfield, with Joe Willock expected to partner him.
These pre-season games are an excellent opportunity for Mesut Ozil to regain his confidence after a demoralising campaign last time around. The former German international might be selected in a No.10 role where his defensive duties will not be put under the scanner that much.
Attack
Arsenal’s summer signing Gabriel Martinelli started on the right-wing against Colorado Rapids and was tenacious. The 18-year-old opened his personal account for his new club and might be rewarded with a start against the Bundesliga giants.
Last season’s joint top-scorer in the Premier League, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, could get the green light to start on the left-wing. Upfront, we expect Alexandre Lacazette to start and to continue with his rich vein of form of the previous campaign.
