ARSENAL have much improved strength in depth heading into this season.
Gunners chiefs have handed boss Mikel Arteta hundreds of millions of pounds to rip up his squad and start again since succeeding Unai Emery.
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With a net spend totalling an eye-watering £380million since the summer of 2019, the North Londoners are desperate to get back to challenging at the top end of the Premier League.
Arsenal fell at the final hurdle last season, losing six of their last 12 matches to botch finishing in the top four.
But there will be no excuses this term, given the greater depth Arteta now has to call upon.
The Gunners have nearly three players for each position – nearly all of whom were signed by the Spaniard.
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Arsenal have blown teams away in pre-season, including a 4-0 shellacking of rivals Chelsea.
So as they prepare to go into Friday night’s opener at Crystal Palace, let’s take a look at their depth chart in more detail.
GOALKEEPERS
Aaron Ramsdale will start the season as Arsenal’s undisputed No1 goalkeeper, particularly after the sale of Bernd Leno to Fulham.
The England international will hope to keep developing as the Gunners aim to improve in the Premier League.
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Given Arsenal’s return to Europa League action, there may well be minutes for new American back-up stopper Matt Turner.
While forgotten man Runar Alex Runarsson is back after a loan spell at OH Leuven.
DEFENDERS
When fit Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed immensely at right-back during his debut campaign in North London.
Cedric Soares deputised for the Japan international last term, while Hector Bellerin is back after his loan at Real Betis, at least for now.
Kieran Tierney was excellent at left-back but like Tomiyasu suffers from numerous injury issues.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s addition will keep Arsenal covered, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also fill in.
Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes will now receive much greater competition at centre-back with William Saliba finally set to be given a chance – while Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are still at the club as back-ups.
MIDFIELDERS
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were Arteta’s first choice pairing last season.
Mohamed Elneny penned a new contract to stick around, while Arsenal will hope for further development from youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Zinchenko offers an intriguing option, regularly playing in midfield for Ukraine – while Maitland-Niles could also do a job.
New skipper Martin Odegaard is set to begin the campaign as Arsenal’s creator-in-chief in the No10 position.
While new signing Fabio Vieira and academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe will also challenge for a starting position.
FORWARDS
Gabriel Jesus has been on fire in pre-season since arriving from Manchester City and offers Arsenal fans genuine hope that they have finally found a prolific No9 to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazette has departed, although the Gunners were able to retain Eddie Nketiah on a new £100,000-a-week contract.
Bukayo Saka will hope to take another leap on the right flank as he enters the final two years of his contract – while he will be backed up by £72m man Nicolas Pepe and the returning Reiss Nelson.
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Gabriel Martinelli is desperate for an injury-free season after showing glimpses of his talent during his three years in North London.
He will be backed up on the left by Smith Rowe and intriguing new boy Marquinhos.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
