Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Saka, Willock and Nketiah start, Ceballos not risked - predicted Arsenal XI vs Lyon

Arsenal are back in action against Lyon tomorrow afternoon.

And it's also the return of the Emirates Cup following it's one-year absence and marks the first time head coach Unai Emery has got a taste of the pre-season tournament.

The Spanish tactician is expected to name team with a mix of first-team stars and youngsters for the clash against the Ligue 1 side.

Speaking about Sunday's game, Emery told Arsenal player: "I think the first time on the pitch with our supporters - even though it's a friendly match - is very important because I think it's the first moment you can show them every player who is playing with us.

"Young players will be doing possibly their best performance and taking more minutes with us, plus any new players we have signed. I think it's the first moment we can be together and we can be strong for the start of the season.

"Really, I am looking forward to being with our supporters at Emirates Stadium again this pre-season against Olympique Lyonnais.

"They are a team with very young players, a big team in France and in Europe, known for playing with big performances. It’s a team who have played very well for their supporters.

"Playing them will help us to give a big match at the Emirates. They have individually good players, a new coach in Silvinho, who played here as a left back.

"It’s good that he’s coming back here because he played for Arsenal.

(Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"His visit with his team is good for us. They are a big team, with big players. I can enjoy, feel a good moment in this Emirates Cup.

"We are very excited to play in front of our supporters in London."

Arsenal's impressive stars vs Real Madrid

With that said, the youngsters who could start the game are Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.

That would mean another shift out wide for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has looked rather impressive on the flanks against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Emery has injury concerns over Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Shkodran Mustafi so that could provide another chance to have a look at a partnership between Calum Chambers and Sokratis.

The Greek international should be rather fresh after being sent-off before half-time against Los Blancos.

In terms of new signings, Gabriel Martinelli could be on the bench alongside loan addition Dani Ceballos as he's not had much training time after his exploits with Spain at this summer's U21 European Championships.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Jenkinson, Chambers, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Willock, Xhaka; Aubameyang, Ozil, Saka; Nketiah

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.