Arsenal have found out their fixture list for the 2022/23 season and it's a familiar feeling on the opening weekend. The Gunners will once again be involved in the curtain-raiser with a tricky London away trip. Last year those same set of circumstances saw a COVID-hit side lose 2-0 to newly-promoted Brentford in what proved to be the start of a disastrous beginning to the season. This time around it's Crystal Palace.
Arsenal haven't had the best of records against the Eagles recently. Last season they failed to win either of their games against Patrick Vieira's side, with the trip to Selhurst Park proving particularly devastating. The Gunners arrived in south London with the initiative in the race for the top four, but would go on to succumb to a humbling 3-0 defeat before later finding out that they had lost Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey for the remainder of the season due to injury.
This time around though Mikel Arteta's men will be hopeful of taking revenge. Here football.london takes a look at how they could line up for the clash on August 5.
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By the time Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park they will have a new goalkeeper in their squad. Matt Turner will join from the New England Revolution towards the end of this month as a replacement for the outward-bound Bernd Leno. The US international has been signed as a number two, but has no intention of being just a backup to Aaron Ramsdale.
"I’m not going over there just to collect a cheque and ride off into the sunset," the 27-year-old said. “I’m going to push myself, I’m going to push Aaron and continue to help him get better and help myself get better."
Ramsdale started England's humiliating 4-0 defeat to Hungary on Tuesday, and having been involved in competitive international matches so late after the season he is not expected back when the rest of the Gunners squad return from their holidays for pre-season on June 27th. You would still back the 24-year-old to start the Premier League opener, but it should be a fascinating battle throughout the season.
In front of him, much of the back of four is decided. If fit, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney will be the starting full backs, while Gabriel should start as the left-sided centre half. None of the trio were involved for their nations during the June international break as they recovered from injuries, so the hope will be that they're recovered in time for the start of the season.
The same goes for Ben White, who had to pull out of the England squad to focus on rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old is currently on holiday, but if he is not fully fit by the time August 5th comes around then Arsenal have a player who will be chomping at the bit to replace him.
William Saliba revealed that he will be returning to North London for pre-season, ending speculation over his future. The French international has impressed during his loan spell with Marseille where he won Ligue 1 player of the year, but is still yet to make his first senior competitive start for Arsenal despite arriving three years ago from St. Etienne. With White still recovering it could be a chance for him to do just that at Selhurst Park.
Into midfield and assuming that Thomas Partey has recovered from the thigh strain that saw him miss the run in last season then he will be starting at the base of midfield. To the right of him will be Martin Odegaard, who could well be wearing the captain's armband on a permanent basis after Alexandre Lacazette's departure to Lyon, but over on the other side, we could see a new addition making his debut.
Granit Xhaka was excellent as the slightly more withdrawn left eight last season, winning Arsenal's player of the month award in April for his performances. However, football.london understands that the Gunners are targeting a deal to bring in Youri Tielemans from Leicester this summer which could see the Swiss midfielder moved out of the starting XI. Tielemans has stated that he will make a decision on his future after the international break, and could be an Arsenal player come the season opener at Selhurst Park.
On the right-wing Bukayo Saka is a guaranteed starter, while Gabriel Martinelli probably just about edges Emile Smith Rowe on the left at the minute. Up front though we could well see a new face.
Eddie Nketiah ended last season as the starting centre forward and is in talks over a contract extension. However, that doesn't mean that Arsenal aren't still hoping to bring in another striker this summer. football.london understands that Gabriel Jesus is the main target. The Brazilian has said he will make a decision on his future during his summer break and the hope will be that he is wearing a Gunners shirt by the time the season kicks off against Palace.
Arsenal potential line up vs Crystal Palace on August 5th - Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Odegaard, Tielemans; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
