A way too early Arsenal 2022/23 predicted starting XI

hugely talented Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira</a>, while moves for Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, and Lisandro Martinez are all in the works.</p> <p>Arsenal mean business this summer.</p> <p>Last season, the Mikel Arteta’s Gunners teased their potential with a fully fit starting XI. But, the manner in which they lost their way once one or two crucial cogs were displaced was a huge concern. Thus, a priority for the club ahead of the new season is securing high-quality depth at several positions. Arteta wants to follow the Manchester City model of having at least two interchangeable options at each position.</p> <p>They’re still some way from achieving that, but the club’s intent is distinct.</p> <p><span style="color: inherit;font-size: 20px;font-style: italic;font-weight: bold">A way too early Arsenal 2022/23 predicted XI</span></p> <p>We’re not even two weeks into the summer window and pre-season is yet to begin at London Colney, but we’re already going to predict Arsenal’s starting XI for the 2022/23 season. By that, I mean the strongest team Arteta could put out once his players return to full fitness at the end of a rather hectic summer schedule.</p> <p>So, without further ado, let’s get into it!</p> <h2>Goalkeeper &amp; Defenders</h2> <div id="attachment_126864" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-126864" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1238372677.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1238372677.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1238372677-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">William Saliba will have to work his way into Mikel Arteta’s defence. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p><strong>Aaron Ramsdale (GK) –</strong> Ramsdale’s heroics throughout the first half of last season were somewhat undermined by a sub-par conclusion to the campaign. The young Englishman, however, has huge potential as a distributor and a shot-stopper, and there’s no doubt he’ll retain his status as Arsenal’s number one in 2022/23. American Matt Turner arrives as his number two.</p> <p><strong>Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) –</strong> Injury woes blighted his promising debut season in north London. Arsenal weren’t quite the same side without him, with his <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/05/09/arsenal-tomiyasu-bargain-special-player/">specialist function</a> allowing Arteta’s system to fully flourish. The club are content with their right-back options heading into the new season, and Tomiyasu will undoubtedly be the starter when fit.</p> <p><strong>Benjamin White (CB) –</strong> White is the archetypal contemporary centre-back. Sure, he may not be a <em>pure</em> defender, as such, but his ability on the ball proved transformative for Arteta’s build-up last season.</p> <p><strong>Gabriel (CB) –</strong> Like White, Gabriel is flawed but he established a fine understanding with the former Brighton and Leeds defender. Thus, despite the return of William Saliba from a hugely successful loan spell with Marseille, these two should continue as Arteta’s favoured centre-back pairing. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/05/27/where-william-saliba-fit-arsenal-next-season/">Saliba quickly make his way into the manager’s</a> plans.</p> <p><strong>Kieran Tierney (LB) –</strong> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/18/3-reasons-lisandro-martinez-perfect-signing-arsenal/">Lisandro Martinez would be a wonderful addition</a> to the club despite his physical drawbacks. The Argentine can perform three functions to a high level and one of those is left-back. If he was to join, Martinez will compete with Tierney for a starting berth and the Scotsman’s injury woes render such depth necessary. However, Tierney has earned the right to continue as Arteta’s favoured choice down the left. The dynamics would change quite dramatically if Martinez was brought into the side.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Midfielders</h2> <div id="attachment_126863" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-126863" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1940,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1241245320.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="1940" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1241245320.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1241245320-768x466.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1241245320-268x162.jpeg 268w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Youri Tielemans has been linked with a £25m move to the Emirates. (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> <p><strong>Thomas Partey (DM) –</strong> An argument could be made for Thomas Partey being the most important cog in Arteta’s machine. The Ghanaian was exceptional either side of the African Cup of Nations last season, and his injury at Crystal Palace derailed the Gunners’ campaign.</p> <p><strong>Youri Tielemans (CM) –</strong> Arsenal’s interest in the Belgian midfielder is <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/21/arsenal-might-regret-cooling-interest-tielemans/">said to have cooled</a>, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gunners made a move for him later on in the window. Tielemans is a player Mikel Arteta requires in his midfield, and he isn’t expected to sign a contract extension with Leicester. Watch this space.</p> <p><strong>Martin Odegaard (CM) –</strong> The <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/21/fabio-vieira-reveals-decided-join-arsenal/">stylistically similar Fabio Vieira</a> will provide Odegaard with stiff competition, but the Norwegian skipper will start as Arteta’s favoured option after he excelled last season. Odegaard has established a deadly relationship with Bukayo Saka down Arsenal’s right as he emerged as a creative force from the right half-space.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Forwards </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Forwards</h2> <div id="attachment_126768" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-126768" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1401334542.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1401334542.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1401334542-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Gabriel Jesus should be an Arsenal player come the start of the new season. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p><strong>Bukayo Saka (RW) –</strong> Our Starboy and 2021/22 Player of the Season. Saka appeared in every Premier League game last time out and is in desperate need of superior competition for his place in the XI. Arteta simply couldn’t rely on Nicolas Pepe which meant Saka burned out towards the end of the campaign. Arsenal are expected to sign a winger this summer with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/report-arsenal-submit-formal-offer-leeds-raphinha/">Leeds’ Raphinha strongly linked</a>, but any new arrival will have a tough job usurping the Englishman.</p> <p><strong>Gabriel Jesus (ST) –</strong> Gabriel Jesus is not yet an Arsenal player, but this is a deal the Gunners should get over the line. Whether Arteta views Jesus’ future as #9 remains to be seen, but he’ll undoubtedly get the chance to compete with Eddie Nketiah for a starting role up top. The Brazilian’s flexibility means he could also function as a wide forward, a role he performed to a high standard for Pep Guardiola last season.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="vDUZfkv2Ch"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/21/3-reasons-arsenal-make-move-raheem-sterling/">3 reasons why Arsenal should make a move for Raheem Sterling</a></p></blockquote> <p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/21/3-reasons-arsenal-make-move-raheem-sterling/embed/#?secret=vDUZfkv2Ch" data-secret="vDUZfkv2Ch" width="500" height="282" title="“3 reasons why Arsenal should make a move for Raheem Sterling” — Pain in the Arsenal" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div> <p><strong>Gabriel Martinelli (LW) –</strong> A new arrival down the flanks is expected and they’re more likely to compete with Martinelli for a place in Arteta’s strongest XI. However, the Gunners’ current links are all stronger off the right, although Raphinha can play down the left. I’d love to see the club make a <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/22/a-way-too-early-arsenal-2022-23-predicted-starting-xi/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/06/21/3-reasons-arsenal-make-move-raheem-sterling/">statement move for Raheem Sterling</a>. Nevertheless, I’m projecting Martinelli to be the first choice come the start of the 2022/23 season. Emile Smith Rowe is another option.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">