Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hints at starting XI plan after Man Utd friendly scare

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has offered a hint on his starting XI to begin the new Premier League campaign next month after watching his side lose 2-0 to Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in New Jersey on Saturday. The Gunners get their season underway on Saturday, August 12 when they host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal were second best throughout their showdown with the Red Devils as Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel were guilty of mistakes that cost the north Londoners two goals. Bruno Fernandes’ shot evaded Ramsdale too easily for the opener, before Jadon Sancho made the most of a poor clearance from Gabriel to score the second.

The Gunners even came out on the wrong end of a penalty shootout result against Erik ten Hag’s side after a spot-kick contest followed the 90 minutes of action.

But, despite Arsenal’s disappointment in the USA, Arteta admitted that he had seen enough from his team to remain upbeat ahead of the new campaign. And the Spaniard hinted his midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz would be a mainstay in his side this season.

“When they play 55 times together, it will be better, it will flow better, they will understand each other better and we will be more dominant,” Arteta explained. “But things take time to glide, and we have to respect that. I saw a lot of positive things, things I really like much more than the game that we won [against the MLS All-Stars] although the result is very different.”

The three midfielders may well line-up against Forest as Arsenal look to start their season with a bang. And they could have Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in front of them in attack after the duo started in a front three against United. But Gabriel Jesus could replace Eddie Nketiah in the starting line-up for that clash, having come off the bench at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Arteta has offered a clue about his preferred back four after lauding new signing Jurrien Timber for his display against United. “Really pleased with his performance and what we asked him to do,” the 41-year-old added. “He’s adapting really quickly to the team. You can see the confidence and the determination he plays with.”

Timber could start the season at right-back alongside central defenders Gabriel and William Saliba, who were both outstanding throughout the last campaign. Ramsdale has proved he has what it takes to be Arteta’s long-term No 1, while Oleksandr Zinchenko will be hoping to replace Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back for the clash with Steve Cooper’s team. The Ukraine international is yet to appear in pre-season as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.