Fofana starts, Jesus on bench - Mikel Arteta dream Arsenal lineup for Premier League opener

Arsenal will welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Emirates Stadium on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. Mikel Arteta will face off against Gary O'Neil at 3pm on Saturday, August 17 with the Gunners boss no doubt hoping his side can secure three points and lay down a marker for the season ahead.

The north Londoners have won their opening Premier League match in each of the last two seasons, beating Crystal Palace in 2022/23 and Nottingham Forest last season. The Gunners did the double over Wolves last campaign and have in fact won the last six meetings between the two sides.

With the summer transfer window opening last Friday, all Arsenal fans will be hoping Arteta can name a number of new signings in his starting XI come August 17. So how exactly could the Gunners line up on the opening day? football.london takes a look below.

David Raya is expected to make his move from Brentford permanent after a successful loan spell last season, with the Gunners paying the Bees £27million for the Spaniard's services. That deal is likely to be announced sometime in July due to Raya's involvement with Spain at Euro 2024. With Raya expected to be Arteta's No.1 once again, Aaron Ramsdale may look to depart Emirates Stadium in search of regular minutes.

Arsenal ended the 2023/24 campaign with the best defensive record in the Premier League, with only 29 goals conceded, five fewer than any other team. Because of this fact, it's unlikely many signings will be made to improve the back line.

William Saliba and Gabriel have become perhaps the division's best centre-back pairing and will continue at the heart of Arteta's defence. Ben White, meanwhile, has been one of the Gunners' most consistent performers over the past two years and will keep his place at right-back. Jurrien Timber could make that left-back spot his own after injury impacted his first year in London. The former Ajax star made his return from an ACL injury against Everton on the final day of last season and if he can have a good pre-season you would back the Dutchman to start against Wolves.

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Midfield is where we could see some change and at least one new signing. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are obvious starters and will have to be at their best throughout 2024/25 should the Gunners wish to challenge Manchester City once again. Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe all played alongside Rice and Odegaard last campaign but football.london understands Edu's priority this summer is to sign another midfielder.

It is not known who the standout candidate is at this time but Monaco's Youssouf Fofana, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes and Everton's Amadou Onana have all been linked. Fofana could be the most realistic signing and could play in the No.6 role, allowing Rice to play as a left No.8. Fofana made 35 appearances for Monaco last season and could be available for as little as £20million given he only has one more year on his contract.

Up front and football.london understands the Gunners are interested in improving the forward line this summer. Benjamin Sesko was of interest but the Slovenian will now be staying at RB Leipzig after signing a contract extension last week. Whatever happens, Bukayo Saka will definitely start against Wolves, fitness permitting, and will want to build on the 16 league goals he netted last campaign.

Gabriel Jesus could find himself on the Arsenal bench if the Gunners do sign a striker, however. football.london understands that is not likely to be Victor Osimhen, despite recent links. Alexander Isak, Ivan Toney, Joshua Zirkzee and Artem Dovbyk are other strikers tipped to make a move to north London this summer although it remains to be seen who Edu will pursue. Out of those four the Newcastle United man is the standout candidate and would be considered the dream signing this window.

Finally, on the left hand side, at the moment it's between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. The Brazilian wasn't his best last season but could be given the nod by Arteta to try and exploit the space behind Wolves' backline.

Arteta's dream Arsenal XI vs Wolves: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Fofana, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Isak, Martinelli.