- 13 hours ago
How Arsenal will line up in 2023-24
Stuart Telford
- Updated: 8 Aug 2023 06:19 CDT
- 3 min read
Arsenal have been busy in the summer transfer market, adding Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. How will they all fit in?
Rice has joined from West Ham for a club record £105 million, with the signings of Havertz from Chelsea and Timber from Ajax taking the Gunners' spending above £200m.
Attack
While each will have a role to play, it makes sense to start with Havertz and his potential position in the final third, especially with Gabriel Jesus' knee currently in a brace.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Commentator who blasted Havertz 'rubbish' breaks silence
Havertz featured in midfield for much of pre-season, but when push came to shove in the Community Shield on Sunday, Mikel Arteta had him leading the line ahead of Jesus' supposed first understudy, Eddie Nketiah.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli would appear to be insurmountable as Arteta's first-choice wingers, meanwhile. They had 25 and 20 goal-involvements respectively in the Premier League last season, leaving Leandro Trossard as a fine alternative at best.
Volley challenge? 🤷♂️
Kai Havertz completes it when it matters 😎pic.twitter.com/j2VVpRyHI4— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) July 20, 2023
Midfield
In midfield, Rice has effectively taken up the Bayer Leverkusen-bound former captain Granit Xhaka's position, playing to the left of Thomas Partey.
READ: Partey-poopers: Arsenal's transfer U-turn
Partey had been expected to follow Xhaka out of the club following Rice's arrival, with Juventus and Saudi Pro League clubs credited with an interest, but Arteta has since said that "they can play together and that was in my plans," of Partey and Rice.
Club captain Martin Odegaard will join them in midfield, whether alongside or up ahead of them, but it seems Jorginho will struggle for minutes this season having only joined from Chelsea in January.
Defence
Further back, Timber has been used on the left of aback four of late with Oleksandr Zinchenko struggling with a calf injury, but the Ukrainian is nearing full fitness and the Dutchman could now displace Ben White on the opposite flank.
William Saliba and Gabriel remain Arteta's first choice at central defence - while Timber and White can both provide cover there too - but there could soon be a change behind them.
For now, Aaron Ramsdale is the club's No.1, but Arsenal are closing on the £30m signing of David Raya from Brentford, and the Spaniard's ball-playing ability could see him get the nod in the longer-term.
