ARSENAL have greatly improved their strength in depth heading into this season.
Gunners bosses have handed boss Mikel Arteta hundreds of millions of pounds to tear up his team and start fresh since succeeding Unai Emery.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: The last big Prem opener
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Arsenal have spent a fortune on new recruits. Credit: Getty
With a net spend of £380m since the summer of 2019, the north Londoners are desperate to challenge again at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal fell at the final hurdle last season, losing six of their last 12 games to finish in the top four.
But there will be no excuses this term, given the greater depth that Arteta now has to ask for.
The Gunners have almost three players for each position, almost all signed by the Spaniard.
Arsenal have demolished teams during pre-season, including a 4-0 rout of rivals Chelsea.
So as they prepare to go into Friday night’s opener at Crystal Palace, let’s take a closer look at their depth chart.
DOORS
Aaron Ramsdale will start the season as Arsenal’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper, especially following the sale of Bernd Leno to Fulham.
The England international hopes to continue to develop as the Gunners look to improve in the Premier League.
Given Arsenal’s return to Europa League action, there may be minutes for new American sidekick Matt Turner.
While the forgotten man Runar Alex Runarsson is back after a loan at OH Leuven.
DEFENDERS
When fit, Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed immensely at right-back during his debut campaign in north London.
Cedric Soares was a substitute for the Japanese international last term, while Hector Bellerin is back after his loan move to Real Betis, at least for now.
Kieran Tierney was excellent at left-back, but like Tomiyasu suffers from numerous injury problems.
The addition of Oleksandr Zinchenko 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 getting a chance, while Rob Holding and Pablo Mari remain at the club as substitutes.
MEDIA
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were Arteta’s first choice last season.
Mohamed Elneny signed a new contract to stay, while Arsenal will be hoping for further development from youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Zinchenko offers an intriguing option, playing regularly in midfield for Ukraine, while Maitland-Niles could also do a job.
New skipper Martin Odegaard will start the campaign as Arsenal’s chief creator in the number 10 position.
While new signing Fabio Vieira and academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe will also challenge for a starting position.
AHEAD
Gabriel Jesus has been on fire in pre-season since arriving from Manchester City and is giving Arsenal fans genuine hope that they have finally found a prolific No.9 to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazette has left, although the Gunners were able to keep hold of Eddie Nketiah on a new £100,000-a-week deal.
Bukayo Saka will be hoping to make another leap down the right flank as he enters the final two years of his contract, while he will be supported by £72million man Nicolas Pepe and the returning Reiss Nelson.
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 supported on the left by Smith Rowe and the intriguing youngster Marquinhos.
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Arsenal are desperate to crack the top four this seasonCredit: PA