Arsenal are finishing their final preparations for the season opener against the old enemy Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta knows the importance of a good start to the season and has a good recent record against the Red Devils.
Pundits are undecided in predicting Arsenal’s result at Old Trafford with many believing that United’s acquisitions in forward areas will make them a stronger outfit this season.
Arteta has some difficult selection difficulties of his own in a number of positions, but may be swayed in one area after Bukayo Saka was left stunned by something his teammate did in the final training session before the big game.
Bukayo Saka stunned by Viktor Gyokeres during Arsenal training session
Putting the ball in the back of the net was a problem for the Gunners last season. The amount of chances they created did not reflect the amount of goals scored and it cost them vital points.
Saka was involved with Viktor Gyokeres and fellow new signing Noni Madueke in a shooting drill and was left stunned by the Swede’s clinical edge in front of goal.
Gyokeres won the drill and Saka could be heard saying at the end: “Nah, nah, nah, he’s won already no?!”
Arsenal fans were impressed by Gyokeres during the warm up of a recent pre-season friendly against Villarreal for the power behind his shots.
After already notching his first goal for the club against Athletic Bilbao, the 27-year-old would love nothing more than to open his Premier League account against his former manager Ruben Amorim.
Predicting Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up against Manchester United
Some players pick themselves when it comes to Arsenal’s first starting XI of the campaign, however, Arteta has some difficult decisions in the full back areas and up top.
Riccardo Calafiori impressed against Athletic Bilbao but Myles Lewis-Skelly became the first-choice left back towards the end of last season.
Ben White showed signs he was back to his best in pre-season, although Jurrien Timber was outstanding for the Gunners before his ankle injury.
The final decision for Arteta will be up front and Gyokeres should get the nod over Kai Havertz given the German’s recent niggle.
One thing is for sure, Arteta will look at his bench at Old Trafford and feel he has more options than last season after his squad was decimated with injuries.
If things are not going to plan, there are several players who can come on and change the course of the game – it could prove vital to the outcome.
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