3-4-2-1: The Arsenal XI Wenger should select for Community Shield v Chelsea

Arsenal return to competitive action this weekend with a clash against Chelsea in the Community Shield this weekend, where Arsene Wenger’s new-look Gunners side will take centre-stage in an attempt to win the first piece of silverware available this season.

Wenger has spent heavily to bring Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac to North London, both of whom could feature against the Premier League champions this weekend, and Arsenal will be eyeing a strong performance as they kick-off their league campaign just five days later against Leicester City.

Arsenal boast a squad that has significant depth but there are a number of players who may not be ready to start this weekend, which means the Gunners side may not be the full-strength XI we’ll become accustomed to seeing over the course of next season.

It’s still a strong side though and we’ve selected the XI we believe will feature this weekend.

GK: Petr Cech

The former Chelsea man will once again enter this season as Arsenal’s first-choice but, aged 35, it could well be his last season in North London. David Ospina is ready to fight behind the scenes and Emiliano Martinez will get experience on-loan with Getafe, meaning the Gunners should have the men capable of stepping up into the frame.

Cech will be crucial this season and a dip in performances could lead to further opportunities for David Ospina, who’s likely to play for Arsenal in the Europa League.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

The man you can expect to see wearing the armband a lot this season, Laurent Koscielny has a big year ahead of him as he eyes glory with Arsenal and with France at next summer’s World Cup. Like Cech behind him, the French defender is into the twilight years of his career- but he has a few seasons left in him yet.

Koscielny will play in a three-man defence this season alongside players younger than him and his experience will be crucial for Arsenal over the course of the coming years, especially when developing the highly-rated players behind the scenes.

CB: Rob Holding

Rob Holding stormed into the limelight during the second-half of last season and a starring performance in the FA Cup final has put the former Bolton Wanderers man down as a potential first-team regular. He faces a wealth of competition for his spot but could be in-line to start this weekend.

Holding is another player who will be crucial next season as Arsenal will need significant depth in order to navigate through their Premier League campaign and balance their involvement in the Europa League, which is likely to lead to a lot of rotation.

CB: Nacho Monreal

The veteran full-back shone in a central position towards the back-end of last season and could fill that role once again this weekend, with Gabriel Paulista injured and Shkodran Mustafi only having returned to training this week.

Monreal could be utilised across the back-line this season and a role centrally may work well for the Gunners, especially if his experience is partnered alongside Laurent Koscielny and Rob Holding. As mentioned, rotation is likely this season and the Spaniard will be hoping for a solid campaign.

RWB: Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin’s season last term was disappointing for many and the performances of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at wing-back show the Spaniard he has a lot of work to do. However, the young full-back should get the nod ahead of the adapted winger this weekend.

Rotation will see both Bellerin and Oxlade-Chamberlain get their chance regularly this season but Bellerin is the more natural player in this position and should start the campaign as first-choice. Depending on performances though that could change, so Bellerin needs to improve upon his showings last term.

CM: Granit Xhaka

The Swiss midfielder was a major addition to Arsenal’s ranks last summer but we only started to see the best out of him in the final months of last season, where the former Borussia Monchengladbach man created a top partnership in central-midfield with Aaron Ramsey.

In a three-man defensive formation, Xhaka’s role protecting the back-line is crucial and his ability on the ball is important in turning defence to attack. With Ramsey alongside him, Xhaka can thrive this season and could be a potential winner for the Gunners.

CM: Aaron Ramsey

Off the back of scoring his second FA Cup winning goal, Aaron Ramsey is now established as star in Arsenal’s side but the fans, and the Welshman himself, will be hoping for consistency as he’s struggled to show regular form in recent seasons.

Ramsey was a stand-out player following Arsenal’s switch to a three-man defence though and his attacking runs from deep are a valuable asset, especially if he creates a strong partnership with players like Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil ahead of him.

LWB: Sead Kolasinac

A free signing from Schalke this summer, Sead Kolasinac is a real bargain as the Bundesliga Team of the Year defender would have cost Arsenal a pretty penny. His arrival means Nacho Monreal can play more regularly centrally but it also gives Arsenal added depth on the left.

Whilst some question Kolasinac’s defensive capabilities, he’s the perfect player to play in a wing-back role and his attacking attributes will be a major boost to Arsenal. With the right attacking players ahead of him, Kolasinac could be as important to the Gunners as Marcos Alonso was to Chelsea last season.

CAM: Mesut Ozil

Arsenal’s club-record signing up until the capture of Alexandre Lacazette this summer, Mesut Ozil should be a lot more comfortable in the new formation and having the French striker again of him could see the creation of a deadly duo.

People expect a lot more from Ozil, especially if he’s handed a lucrative new contract, and this season could certainly be his year if he links-up with those around him. On paper, a team consisting of Ozil, Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey is definitely frightening.

CAM: Theo Walcott

With Alexis Sanchez having returned late from pre-season due to illness, it’s highly unlikely that the Chilean star will be ready to start against Chelsea this weekend. Arsenal have a number of options, including Danny Welbeck, but Theo Walcott could be the ideal choice.

Walcott’s pace is a deadly asset and the new formation could see the best from the long-serving ace, as he’s not forced out wide like he used to be. He’ll need to make an impression early on if he’s to continue getting opportunities in the first-team though.

ST: Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal’s new number nine and record signing, fans will be hoping for an instant impression from Alexandre Lacazette and he’s already shown his scoring prowess in pre-season by netting two goals- although they were both admittedly tap-ins.

With Ozil, Walcott and Ramsey behind him, Lacazette will be lethal in the attacking third and should be an immediate hit in the Premier League. Whether he has enough to lead Arsenal to a Premier League title remains to be seen though.