Arsenal's fixtures for the 2020/21 Premier League season were released this morning [August 20] with anticipation building ahead of Mikel Arteta's first full campaign in charge.
The Gunners begin their season with a trip to short trip to Fulham's Craven Cottage before hosting West Ham at Emirates Stadium a week later. Liverpool away stands as the side's third game as late September and October poses a mighty task for the Arteta's team with Europa League football due to return on October 22.
Tottenham will host the first north London derby of the season on December 5 and a home meeting with Brighton will act as the curtain call in May.
Here, football.london assesses what Arsenal's strongest side could look like ahead of the first game of the season against Fulham on September 12.
The Community Shield [played on August 29] and behind closed doors friendlies the Gunners intend to play before the new season officially kicks off will give Arteta's goalkeepers to battle for the No.1. spot but as it stands, Emi Martinez should take the reins.
There's no questioning that this would be a decision based on merit considering how consistently well the Argentine performed after the restart, but what sets him apart is his distribution. Bernd Leno has somewhat improved in this area but as a larger emphasis is put on the goalkeeper being patient to start attacks, to the detail of which foot he uses to receive the ball, Martinez would offer more.
Hector Bellerin could be saved in the Community Shield to begin the new season as the first choice right-back. 2019/20 was tough for him as he suffered setbacks on the road to recovery but in multiple points during the restart he showed signs that he could meet the demands put on an Arteta right-back.
William Saliba and David Luiz will be the strongest centre-back pairing as it stands going into the opening day. Rob Holding struggled to truly assert himself in Shkodran Mustafi's absence while, despite injury troubles last season, Saliba regularly took charge of the Saint-Etienne back line. This doesn't mean he will be perfect as at 19-years-old he will still have a lot to learn.
David Luiz would be the best fit for a mentor figure alongside him. Last year he was pivotal to Arsenal's build-up play down the left flank whilst rising as one of Arteta's most valued assets. High profile mistakes will be cause for concern but of the current corps, he is the one that gets in. Kieran Tierney will return to left-back after a very successful spell at centre-back to complete the back four.
A staple of the side last season, Granit Xhaka will man the base of midfield. From there, he'll continue to act as the springboard for Arsenal attacks while offering security for the defence in a more refined role.
He'll be partnered by Joe Willock should the Gunners still be on the search for a new central midfielder. Last term, the 21-year-old proved he's capable of being the man that drive's Arsenal forward in both a literal and metaphorical sense but becoming more consistent in his decision making will be key.
Signing Willian may lead to anticipation over a debut but considering how often he played after the restart and the fact he picked up a hamstring injury may see him eased in later on. As a result, Mesut Ozil should be reinstated to the side if fit to play. Arsenal suffered without him after the restart with most of their chances coming from wide crosses rather than smooth play through the centre of the pitch.
If Ozil isn't chosen to play, calling upon Emile Smith Rowe to play against the team he scored his first league goal would be the next best decision. The 20-year-old is staying with the first team this season and following a very successful spell at Huddersfield Town, opportunities to become Arsenal's creative force should fall his way, whether that be as a No.8. or No.10.
Another staple of the side once Arteta found his groove, the front three will be Nicolas Pepe off the right, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang down the left and Alexandre Lacazette through the middle. Should there be a desire to move Aubameyang central, however, Bukayo Saka can take the left wing.
de Roche's current strongest XI for Fulham: Martinez; Bellerin, Saliba, Luiz, Tierney; Willock, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette
