What is the best Arsenal XI?

Thomas Partey

What is the best Arsenal XI - from Thomas Partey to Hector Bellerin to Bukayo Saka


By Peter White

With the fresh Premier League campaign now in full swing, three wins from the opening four league games have yielded plenty of causes for optimism for Arsenal fans so far in 2020/21.

Since taking charge in January, Mikel Arteta has demonstrated a much-needed streak of ruthlessness both on the pitch and behind the scenes, so much so that he was duly promoted from head coach to first-team manager in September. 

Indeed, he has reinvigorated a previously disunited squad, convincing the likes of Granit Xhaka and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang their future remains in North London, while instilling new life into the team through signings such as Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian and now Thomas Partey. 

Arteta has been equally unafraid to shun anyone not in line with his philosophy, with Mesut Ozil permanent figures on the sidelines and Matteo Guendouzi shipped out on loan. 

After a pleasing summer transfer window, we’ve taken a look at the options the 38-year-old has available to him in each area of the pitch, and come up with what we think is his strongest starting line-up using the 4-3-3 formation that seems to be the long-term plan (even if 3-4-3 had served him well until this point). 

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno has re-established himself as the undisputed No.1 at Emirates Stadium, after recovering from a knee injury sustained during defeat at Brighton in June which allowed Emiliano Martinez to emerge as a surprise key player at the end of 2019/20.

Indeed, the Argentine played an important part in the Gunners’ FA Cup and Community Shield victories, but was eventually sold to Aston Villa in September in search of regular Premier League game time.

Leno returned to the starting XI for Arsenal’s opening league clash at Fulham, and the German has looked back to his best in the early stages of this season.

Iceland’s Alex Runarsson - who made 18 appearances for Dijon last season - was brought in as a replacement for Martinez and is likely to be Leno’s main challenger for the first-choice berth, ahead of Matt Macey who was on the bench for the first two Premier League games of the campaign. 

Defence

The use of three men in defence proved effective under Arteta and demonstrated his pragmatism but a back four seems to be the long-term goal. Marquee signing Gabriel wasted no time in making a strong case for a regular starting place with a commanding performance on his debut against Fulham, which he capped off with a goal. 

Whether David Luiz can truly be trusted in a back four is up for debate but for the time being, we’ve gone with the veteran Brazilian to Gabriel’s right. 

The former Chelsea man hasn’t been a stranger to criticism while playing in Arsenal red, but there is no doubting he possesses genuine talent, while it is hoped he can pass on a lot of his experience to his compatriot. 

Rob Holding is perhaps unfortunate to miss out having impressed in Luiz’s early-season absence, while there is a lot of hope pinned on William Saliba, who generated a lot of excitement while at St Etienne. 

When fit, Kieran Tierney has established an excellent connection with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the left centre-back position but in a flat back four he slides over to left-back.

When operating a system with a flexible four in midfield, Hector Bellerin has to be in the team but even with a back four, he earns his place at right-back ahead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles. After overcoming issues with injury, form and transfer speculation, the 25-year-old is now truly blossoming under his fellow countryman. 

Midfield

In the middle, Thomas Partey slots straight into the team as the most defensively-minded of the midfield trio following his £45m signings from Atletico Madrid.

Providing a wall in front of the defence, the Ghanaian is an under-rated passer and offers some threat going forward but will surely be tasked with protecting an occasionally shaky back-line in the No.6 role 

Former skipper Granit Xhaka - who looked certain to leave last summer - was crucial to Arteta’s 3-4-3 system thanks to his cover dropping deep but may be too similar to play alongside Partey.

So we’ve given the nod to Dani Ceballos, who re-joined on loan from Real Madrid in September, for his greater creative instincts, although Xhaka or even Willian dropping deep provide other options. 

On the left of the midfield three we’ve gone with Bukayo Saka, who has proven himself to be a top-class player in recent months by playing a key role down the left-hand side – both as a wing-back and attacking winger – producing form that earned him his first England cap against Denmark recently. 

Maitland-Niles may feel aggrieved to miss out but provides valuable cover at both full-back slots and as a midfield option, while there is plenty of strength in depth with the likes of Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Mohamed Elneny likely to play their part during the campaign. 

Attack

Arsenal undoubtedly possess one of the Premier League’s strongest forward lines, and in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang one of the most lethal frontmen in world football. 

The red half of North London blew a huge sigh of relief when the Gabon international penned a new three-year contract in September, having contributed 22 goals in each of the last two seasons and he is an automatic selection. 

With Aubameyang on the left of a front three (where Arteta insists he’s at his best, even if some Arsenal fans would like to see him through the middle), we’ve plumped for Willian, just ahead of Nicolas Pepe on the right.

The Brazilian immediately impressed with a three-assist display on the opening day in a 3-0 over Fulham after signing on a free and offers quality at the set-piece. 

Pepe hasn’t yet hit the heights Gunners fans expected of a £72m signing but has shown flashes of his quality, particularly en route to FA Cup glory. 

France international Alexandre Lacazette has already netted three goals in three Premier League games so far and takes the central role, while rising star Eddie Nketiah is unfortunate to just miss out but will get plenty of game-time this term.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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