[New post] Arsenal new boys Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White available as Chelsea welcome back stars like N’Golo Kante – how Gunners and Blues could line-up in pre-season friendly
Anish Dogra posted: " As clubs step up their preparations for the 2021/22 campaign, Arsenal and Chelsea will face off in a pre-season in a game on Sunday - which could see a number of debutants. The Gunners have been very busy in the transfer market, signing three pl"
As clubs step up their preparations for the 2021/22 campaign, Arsenal and Chelsea will face off in a pre-season in a game on Sunday - which could see a number of debutants.
The Gunners have been very busy in the transfer market, signing three players so far, and are still looking for more reinforcements following a disappointing season.
White takes the No.4 shirt at Arsenal
Ben White recently secured his move from Brighton whilst Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares joined earlier in the window from Anderlecht and Benfica respectively.
A deal for Lautaro Martinez is also reportedly in the works with the club apparently willing to offer cash plus Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette.
Chelsea meanwhile have been a bit more passive in the window. They are yet to make a signing as Thomas Tuchel looks to push on following their Champions League success last season.
That being said, a deal for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde could be completed very soon as both clubs are in talks over the signature of the French defender.
With all that in mind this is how both teams could line up ahead of the 'friendly'.
Lokonga will grace the Emirates for the first time
Bernd Leno is set for his first minutes of the season following his break after the Euros.
Despite Tavares coming in, Kieran Tierney is expected to keep the new signing out of the team and with Bellerin's future still far from clear, Callum Chambers could continue at right-back.
The friendly probably comes too soon for White to start, but he is likely to be in the squad and could feature from the bench.
Lokonga impressed when coming on at half-time in the 4-1 win against Milwall and could get his first minutes in front of his new supporters.
Up top, due to a lack of availability, Arteta is set to line up with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the left, Emile Smith Rowe in the number ten role, Nicholas Pepe on the right and Lacazette up top.
This is how Arsenal could line up in their pre-season friendly against their London rival
The Blues will be welcoming back a number of players following their exploits at the Euros.
French and German contingents N'Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz returned to training a week ago could all be set for their first minutes of pre-season.
The £73million man from Bayer Leverkusen could lead the line with American Christian Pulisic and Moroccan Hakim Ziyech either side of him.
Chelsea could welcome a number of first team players such as Kante and Havertz
There are also a few players who could impress. Ziyech, following a mixed first season is really hoping to kick on in his second year in English football.
He told the club's media that he was feeling good following the 2-1 against Bournemouth.
"I'm feeling great," said the Moroccan. "I feel sharp and I'm looking forward to the next game."
One other player to keep an eye on is Havertz. For the majority of last season he struggled to adapt to the Premier League but really shone towards the end thanks to Tuchel's help.
He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final and continued that form into the Euros scoring twice in four matches.
For Arsenal, of course the main man to focus on is Lokonga, arriving for just under £18m he comes in with big expectations.
With Xhaka back in training as well, he will be extremely determined to impress Arteta as well as his new supporters and keep out the Swiss captain.
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