Arsenal predicted lineup vs MLS All-Stars - Pre-season friendly
- Arsenal are in America for the next leg of their pre-season tour
- Declan Rice & Jurrien Timber are in the squad
- MLS side are led by Wayne Rooney
By Tom Gott
Arsenal's second pre-season friendly sees them head to the United States for the annual MLS All-Star game in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Gunners were held to a surprise draw by Nurnberg in their summer opener but will expect the arrivals of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber to provide the boosts needed to steer them to victory this time around.
Here's how Mikel Arteta could set up for this one.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs MLS All-Stars (4-3-3)
GK: Aaron Ramsdale - Ramsdale will start ahead of the 2021 MVP of the All-Star game, Matt Turner.
RB: Jurrien Timber - The new boy could be thrown straight in at the deep end if Arteta thinks Timber has learned enough about his new role.
CB: William Saliba - Saliba hadn't even signed his first senior contract last time Arsenal took on the MLS All-Stars in 2016.
CB: Gabriel - Timber's arrival needs to push Gabriel to another level, with Ben White also capable of commanding minutes here.
LB: Kieran Tierney - Reports have suggested Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up a 'serious' injury before the Nurnberg game, so the Ukraine international may not be seen for a little while.
DM: Jorginho - He didn't cover himself in glory against Nurnberg but limited options should see Jorginho start again.
CM: Declan Rice - Just where he fits in Arteta's system is not yet clear, with Rice potentially needed in this Granit Xhaka role - arguably his best position.
CM: Kai Havertz - Martin Odegaard's injury could be a blessing in disguise if it allows Havertz to play in this more-advanced role.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Saka fizzed in Arsenal's opener against Nurnberg and should retain his spot while he builds his fitness back up.
ST: Gabriel Jesus - Folarin Balogun should get some minutes in front of the American crowd but, given he's probably leaving in a few weeks anyway, expect Arteta to focus on Jesus.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli - Leandro Trossard's injury scare should see Martinelli named in the starting lineup.