Mikel Arteta, like the other 19 Premier League managers, is preparing for the start of a brand new season.
Of course, for the second year in a row, the Spaniard has the honour of being part of the first game of the new campaign as his Arsenal side make the short trip across London to face a Crystal Palace side that recorded a 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture back in April.
Defeat that night wasn't the only setback the Gunners suffered as two key players were ruled out for the remainder of the season afterward, thus denying Arteta the chance to name his strongest XI during the final nine games - and it certainly played a role in missing out on a top-four finish.
READ MORE: Arsenal can still repeat Robin van Persie trick after 'confirming' William Saliba squad number
With that said, it's safe to say that when the summer transfer window closes, this will be the Spaniard's squad and there won't be room for many excuses. Whilst he has not yet completed the full overhaul, he has either signed or offered new contracts to a large portion of the senior players at his disposal.
And it has become quite clear as to which players Arteta will rely upon next season as he aims to guide Arsenal back into the Champions League - whether that be via the Premier League route or by lifting the Europa League trophy.
Given there hasn't been too much change to the Arsenal squad this summer, based on what happened last season, pre-season and deals completed in the current transfer window, it all points towards Arteta already knowing at least six players that will feature in his strongest starting XI week-in, week-out when fit and available.
But after splashing out a combined total of £112.5m to sign Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko so far in the transfer window, can any of the quintet be considered part of Arteta's core group of undroppables heading into the 2022/23 season?
Well, there is an argument for at least two, but it's more likely that Gabriel Jesus will be assured a place in the starting XI regardless of the formation most weeks alongside goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, Thomas Partey, newly-appointed captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
There's also an argument that Gabriel Magalhaes can be included in this list, mainly down to Arteta's preference for a left-footer playing as the left-sided defender to bring balance. If this is the case, it leaves five spots up for grabs and football.london takes a look at which players are in the running to change the Spaniard's mind.
Right-back
As pointed out by football.london, the Gunners have plenty of options when it comes to the right-back department, but during pre-season Benjamin White has emerged to challenge Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares with the England international likely to start against Crystal Palace.
After an impressive first-half of last season following his arrival on transfer deadline day from Bologna, Tomiyasu was comfortably a member of Arteta's core group of undroppables. But that's no longer the case following his injury issues and there will be a big decision to make especially if White continues to impress at right-back.
Right-sided centre-back
Interestingly, despite his versatility, White may not be a guaranteed starter when everyone is fit. This might come as a surprise given Arsenal pushed hard for his signature last summer and the £50m price-tag suggested that Arteta was planning to build his defence around the England international for years to come.
Despite forging an impressive partnership with Gabriel as the Gunners came close to qualifying for the Champions League last season, the return of William Saliba has shaken things up as the Frenchman has been nothing short of sensational in pre-season which will hand Arteta a dilemma.
In truth, it's a nice problem for the Arsenal manager to have. But he'll want to have a settled central defensive partnership to provide a solid base to build upon and with Rob Holding also under consideration, the Spaniard will leave some players disappointed with his team selection most weeks.
Left-back
Similar to Tomiyasu on the opposite flank, Kieran Tierney has always been viewed as an automatic starter for Arsenal when fit. The problem is the Scotland international has had his fair share of injuries ever since arriving from Celtic in the 2019 summer transfer window.
Having played just 30 minutes of pre-season, it's almost certain that he won't start against Crystal Palace and realistically there's no sign that he will earn an immediate recall to the side once he is fully fit and that's because he now has real competition at left-back from Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arteta waxed lyrical about the £30m summer signing from Manchester City following the 6-0 trashing of Sevilla at the weekend and the positions the Ukraine international takes up when Arsenal are in possession may make him the ideal option at left-back, but Tierney is a force to be reckoned with down that side.
Centre-midfield
This is a tricky one and is largely dependent on what business Arsenal get done between now and transfer deadline day. As things stand, Granit Xhaka will complete the midfield trio and he showed last season and during pre-season that he is a good option as one of two 'eights' in midfield.
The Switzerland international has been a regular under Arteta ever since the Spaniard was appointed in late 2019, but that will change if the Gunners do sign another midfielder before the transfer window closes amid links to Leicester City's Youri Tielemans and Lyon's Lucas Paqueta.
That's not to say Xhaka will no longer be part of Arteta's plans, but it's likely he would have to accept more of a squad role rather than be viewed as an automatic starter. Of course, if Arsenal opt against bolstering the midfield then the 29-year-old will take his place amongst the core group of undroppables.
Left-wing
Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli did battle for the left-wing spot last season. And it was a story of two halves with the former cementing his place during the first half of the campaign, only for his fitness issues to open the door for the Brazilian who grabbed his chance with both hands.
With Smith Rowe barely featuring in pre-season, Martinelli looks set to start the season alongside Gabriel Jesus and Saka in the Arsenal attack, but until he becomes prolific in front of goal, this battle is far from over.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Martinelli's new role revealed as Arsenal 'announce' first-team promotion for wonderkid
Why Roy Keane and Gary Neville's brutal Arsenal assessment will prove to be dramatically wrong
Arsenal's forgotten man returns to rival Charlie Patino for Mikel Arteta’s first team plans
Mikel Arteta facing defensive dilemma ahead of Palace clash as Arsenal transfer exits loom
Big Arsenal Forum: Answer the call as we ask fans 7 key question
