Arsenal predicted lineup vs AS Monaco - Pre-season friendly
- Arsenal face AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup on Wednesday
- Mikel Arteta rotated his squad plenty out in the States
- Favoured team will start to take shape ahead of Premier League opener
Arsenal have enjoyed plenty of Emirates Cup success over the years, and they face up against AS Monaco in this summer's iteration of the competition on Wednesday.
The Emirates Cup is no longer the multi-team tournament of yesteryear, but a one-off encounter held at Arsenal's home in north London. Sevilla were swatted aside 6-0 in 2022, and Adi Hutter will hoping to avoid a similar beatdown this time around.
Mikel Arteta rotated his pack plenty out in the States, but we're more likely to see the Spaniard hand minutes to those who he'll think will play a major part in Sunday's Community Shield and the Gunners' Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.
Here's how Arteta could set his Arsenal side up against AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs AS Monaco (4-3-3)
GK: Aaron Ramsdale - Well, well, well. This could get interesting. The David Raya links will undoubtedly give Ramsdale a kick up the backside given his shaky pre-season so far.
RB: Ben White - While Jurrien Timber has impressed this summer, White's excellent campaign last time out means he deserves to remain the club's starting right-back and Arteta will likely play the Englishman on Wednesday.
CB: William Saliba - The Frenchman was as cool as ever in LA, and he should be in the side to face up against Monaco.
CB: Gabriel - The Brazilian forged an excellent relationship with Saliba last season, and the pair worked in perfect harmony against Barcelona. Gabriel's poised to partner Saliba at the Emirates for the first time since March on Wednesday.
LB: Jurrien Timber - Zinchenko's absence could thrust Timber into the left-back role again, although Arteta does have several options. Kieran Tierney is vying for a start after starring off the bench in LA.
DM: Thomas Partey - There were questions surrounding Partey's future this summer after his poor end to the season, but the midfielder remains a key part of the club's project and Declan Rice's injury means he'll continue at the base in the Emirates Cup.
CM: Kai Havertz - Slowly but surely, it looks as if Havertz is coming to grips with the left-sided number eight role. The German scored against Barcelona and supporters are already growing accustomed to seeing the former Chelsea man creep in at the back post.
CM: Martin Odegaard - It's been a fairly subdued summer for the Gunners skipper thus far, but Arteta's creative hub will retain his place in the team with Fabio Vieira destined to earn minutes off the bench.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Saka enjoyed his time against Marcos Alonso last time out, with Arteta refusing to give his star attacker much respite this summer. He'll surely keep his place down Arsenal's right with the boss lacking alternatives.
ST: Gabriel Jesus - Jesus hasn't had much joy in front of goal in pre-season, but he's shown signs of returning to his best form this summer. With Eddie Nketiah struggling to impress, the Brazilian will keep his place up top.
LW: Leandro Trossard - The shrewd January arrival was the biggest winner of the US tour as he outperformed Gabriel Martinelli by quite some distance. The versatile Belgian is currently the Gunners' leading scorer in pre-season after netting twice in the win over Barça.