Just four weeks after they lifted the FA Cup, Arsenal are back in domestic action on Saturday, facing Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley.
Lifting the famous old trophy was a fantastic way for Mikel Arteta to round off his first season as Gunners boss.
That said, the dubious reward is an early return to action, with the traditional curtain-raiser brought forward to account for the international break ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
It’s tricky to pick out what Arteta will do in terms of putting out his best side and trying to land a blow on the Premier League champions as well as winning a trophy, balanced with getting minutes in the legs.
Emi Martinez was outstanding after lockdown but Bernd Leno played the 4-1 win at MK Dons in midweek and Arteta may well take the opportunity to continue his recovery in this one.
William Saliba impressed in that match too and should get an official debut here, giving Gunners fans another chance to assess their new man.
Arsenal beat Liverpool in July with a 3-4-3 system, which should see Arteta replicate that approach, possibly with David Luiz in the back three as well.
Hector Bellerin should play at right wing-back, with Kieran Tierney taking up a hybrid centre back/left back role with Bukayo Saka ahead of him.
A combative midfield duo of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira looks most likely to be tasked with manning the engine room.
Perhaps there will be another debut further forward with new-boy Willian slotting in on the right of the front three.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can cause havoc on the left and it’s a choice between Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette up front.
Nketiah started at Stadium:MK, which is why he’s leading the line in our predicted 11.
Arsenal had to be patient and counter well during that 2-1 victory at the Emirates last month and it might be a similar gameplan here.
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