Who should start in the front three for Arsenal next season?

Who should start in the front three for Arsenal next season?

By Jonny Bray
The Gunners have an impressive roster of forwards ahead of next season. 
Gabriel Jesus has joined the club from Manchester City, as has winger Marquinhos, with the Gunners also linked with moves for exciting players such as Serge Gnabry and Lucas Paquetá. 
The club have signed Eddie Nketiah to a new deal, while young stars like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe both look sure to stay at The Emirates for another season. 
To add to Mikel Arteta's list of big decisions, Nicolas Pépé and Gabriel Martinelli are also on the books, with both looking for more first-team football next season.
So, with that in mind, who should start in the front three for Arsenal? 

Striker 

Jesus has to start the season as Arsenal's number nine. 
But there is still a lot of debate surrounding what the Brazillian's best position actually is. 
At City, he was often deployed on the right wing, and it is rumoured that he actually prefers that role. 
However, he has clearly been brought to north London to be the club's first-choice number nine. 
If Jesus doesn't cut it as a lone striker, then Nketiah is ready and waiting in the wings. 
Many Gunners fans felt the academy product wasn't good enough to play up front for Arsenal, but a stunning end to the season proved many of his critics wrong. 
He will be the club's second choice this season and could even break into the first team if Jesus is pushed out to the right wing. 

Left-wing

Smith Rowe and Martinelli will battle it out for a spot on the left side of Arsenal's attack. 
Smith Rowe had a spectacular start to last season and was spoken about in the same light as fellow Arsenal academy product Saka. 
He ended up struggling during the later stages of the campaign, but at 21 years old, he has plenty of time to get back to his best form. 
Martinelli is more likely to start on the left, though, following a brilliant end to the 2021/22 season. 
The Brazillian star is ready to take this Arsenal side by the scruff of the neck and push it on to the next level. 
Whoever starts, Arsenal are sure to be a serious threat down the left flank next season. 

Right-wing 

Bukayo Saka is short to start on the right-wing for Arsenal next season. 
He is one of the most exciting young players in the country and is likely to get even better during the 2022/23 season. 
The Gunners also have some exciting cover just in case Saka goes down injured. 
Pépé may not be a £70 million player, but he is excellent cover for Saka. 
And he is still young enough and good enough to contribute as a squad player, particularly if his heart is in it. 
Then there is Marquinhos, who signed for the club this summer from São Paulo FC. 
He is a bit of an unknown quantity, having only made a handful of appearances in Brazil. 
However, the Gunners have a good scouting network in South America, as shown by Martinelli, who has excelled in England since joining from Ituano FC.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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