Arsenal
Arsenal’s Potential Starting XI For The 2014/15 Season
The trophy drought finally ended as Arsenal made a sensational come-back against Hull City to win the FA Cup after being 2-0 down within the first 10 minutes. Despite the fact that the Gunners made heavy weather of the game by taking it late into extra time and playing into the hands of Hull City initially, they were still good value for their victory. As the season officially ends for the North London club, they would have some key transfers to make in the summer. Most of the fans would be hoping that this would be the start of a new era for the Gunners, the era where Arsenal were a rampant force to be reckoned with and not just a team aiming for a top-four finish.
Here is a potential starting eleven for Arsenal next season. The team will consist of players that Arsene Wenger would most likely choose when he has a fully fit squad.
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
The Polish keeper has been very good this season. Having kept the joint-highest number of clean sheets this year, he shared the Golden Glove with Chelsea’s Petr Cech. He would be expected to be the first choice for the Gunners next season and the fans will hope for similar performances from him.
Right Back: Serge Aurier
The Ivorian Right-Back is one of the heavily rumoured transfer target for Arsenal. With the departure of long serving right-back Bacary Sagna all but confirmed, Arsene Wenger will need a young and quality player for the position. If Wenger truly pursues Aurier with all his determination, he would be able to land the player as he’s very affordable considering Arsenal’s financial stature.
Centre Back: Per Mertesacker
The BFG, as he’s fondly called by fans and team-mates, finally performed to the fans’ expectations to revive the reputation he had at the time he came to Arsenal from Werder Bremen. He has been the leader at the back, and an intelligent defender this season. Arsenal fans will expect him to continue with his performances.
Centre Back: Laurent Koscielny
He has had his best season in Arsenal as he firmly established himself as a first choice ahead of club captain Thomas Vermaelen. He has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season and a key figure for his team during their early and mid-season performances. His stellar season would surely make him the first choice next season next to Mertesacker.
Left Back: Kieran Gibbs
The English left-back has had a decent tournament and has surely been the first choice ahead of Spaniard Nacho Monreal. Gibbs has potential to be much better and is already on his way to realising the potential. Arsenal are pretty equipped in this position as Gibbs is expected to make more starts but Monreal is also good enough to be playing at this position.
Central Midfield: Aaron Ramsey
Easily Arsenal’s best player this season. His energy and work-rate has always been important in the middle of the park, but this season we really saw his finishing being the most improved attribute of his game. His goals were really valuable for the Gunners as he had a very prolific scoring season especially with Ozil in the team. He also scored the winner in the FA Cup final that gave Arsenal it’s coveted trophy.
Central Midfield: Jack Wilshere
There is no doubt that Wilshere is one of the most promising youngsters in Arsenal currently. He has the potential to become one of the best playmakers in England if he continues to improve. He has struggled with injuries but there is no doubt about him making Arsenal’s first team if he’s fully fit. Fans will be expecting a strong season from the player who’s goal won the Goal Of The Season award in the Premier League.
Central Attacking Midfield: Mesut Ozil
Arsenal’s record signing had a roller coaster first season at his new club, but there is little doubt about his world class ability. He will be having a proper pre-season with the Gunners and with a new and more lethal striker up front next season, Ozil will be raring to start. He has also been the lucky charm for Arsenal as with his big money signing, irrespective of his performance, Arsenal grabbed its first trophy in 9 years.
Left Attacking Midfield: Santi Cazorla
The little Spaniard has been delivering consistent performances for the Gunners. He has also been called up to his national team Spain regularly. His quality and intelligence would obviously keep him among the first names that Wenger would choose in his team. He has shown natural ability with both the feet and can play wide as well with Ozil playing central.
Right Wing: Theo Walcott
Walcott was heavily missed by the Gunners this season. His pace and improved finishing was a huge asset especially with Ozil in the team, who was looking for players to make important runs into spaces. We would hope his ACL injury won’t hamper his explosive pace. He would be playing in the right wing, not in the Right Attacking Midfield position as opposed to Cazorla who would be a bit more deep, as he’s expected to be involved in playmaking.
Center Forward: Karim Benzema
The French International striker has been in great goal-scoring form this season as he’s been prolific for both club and country. There have been strong rumours about Arsenal interested in the striker, and Madrid willing to offload him in order to collect money for another superstar signing. He will add instant quality as well as chemistry to the team. His game is well known to former team-mate Ozil as well as his compatriot Giroud who would be fighting for the same position for the national team as well. In Arsene Wenger, he would also have a French manager which would make it easier to settle down in his new club.
Arsenal Dragon
Renee Slegers Confirms The Position Arsenal Women Are Looking To Sign a Player From in January Transfer Window
Renee Slegers has confirmed Arsenal will sign a goalkeeper in January after revealing Daphne van Domselaar will miss the remainder of 2025 with a quad tendon issue, leaving the club relying on debutant Anneke Borbe and teenager Amy Liddiard.
The Arsenal boss made the admission during Friday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Liverpool, where summer signing Borbe will make her full debut with 17-year-old Liddiard providing backup from the bench.
Van Domselaar requires an injection for her quad tendon problem and won’t return until the new year, compounding Arsenal’s goalkeeper crisis. Manuela Zinsberger is already out for the season after rupturing her ACL in October, one of 17 players across the WSL to suffer knee injuries during that month alone.
“We Need Three Goalkeepers Available”
Asked directly if Arsenal want to sign a goalkeeper in January, Slegers didn’t hesitate. “Yes, definitely, because Manu is out and Daphne has been managing issues, so we’re definitely looking,” she said.
“We’re definitely looking at that position because we think we need a really strong goalkeeper union with three goalkeepers available and we’re not in that situation at the moment so we’ll have to solve that for the second half of the season.”
Arsenal have also been linked with Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg as they look to strengthen multiple positions during the winter window.
Chloe Kelly Adds to Injury Woes
The goalkeeper situation isn’t Arsenal’s only injury concern for Saturday’s noon kick-off. Chloe Kelly suffered a knee injury on England duty against Ghana on Tuesday and will miss the Liverpool match. Like van Domselaar, Kelly could be unavailable until the new year.
Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang (on loan at Brighton) have also suffered season-ending ACL injuries this campaign, highlighting the brutal injury toll Arsenal have endured.
Slegers Dismisses Dressing Room “Unrest” Reports
Slegers was also asked about The Athletic’s report claiming the dressing room has been “splintered for many years” with some players “wielding significant influence” and underlying tension between squad members.
The Arsenal boss firmly rejected the narrative. “We won the Champions League, historically we are the most successful club in England, there is noise on the outside, there will always be noise, but on the inside we know what we are doing,” she responded.
“I didn’t agree with it and I think it is unfortunate that this is what is written about us while we are doing so many good things and a lot of people invested in the process.”
Also read: Arsenal Women vs. Liverpool Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Arsenal face their toughest test of the season as they travel to Villa Park, where Aston Villa have been nearly impenetrable. The Gunners hold a six-point advantage over third-placed Villa, but their defensive injury crisis threatens to derail their title momentum.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, December 6, 2025
Venue: Villa Park
Referee: Michael Oliver
TV: TNT Sports 1
Form Guide
Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners in this exact fixture last season, with goals from Trossard and Thomas Partey settling matters at Villa Park. However, Villa dealt a seismic blow to Arsenal’s title bid with a 2-0 away victory in mid-April 2024, helping Manchester City to win the league. A 2-2 draw at the Emirates last January again stunted Arsenal’s championship pursuit.
Villa have been in exceptional form, winning seven of their last eight games across all competitions. They showed character in midweek to claim a 4-3 win over Brighton, despite trailing 2-0 after half an hour. Ollie Watkins enjoyed a welcome return to form, netting twice in the first half. At home, Villa have won five of their seven fixtures this season and are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League home games.
Arsenal maintained their five-point lead at the top with a 2-0 win over Brentford in midweek. Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches across all competitions. However, the match came at a cost with injuries to Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera.
Team News
Arsenal’s defensive crisis has reached alarming levels. Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a thigh problem while representing Brazil during the November international break and could be missing for up to two months. William Saliba has missed the last two matches after suffering a knock in training, though Arteta confirmed it should be “a matter of days” before his return.
Cristhian Mosquera was forced off before half-time against Brentford with an ankle injury and is set to miss 6 to 8 weeks of football. Declan Rice also limped off late on with a calf issue, though the midfielder told Sky Sports he is “fine” and expects to be available. Leandro Trossard could return from a muscle injury, with Arteta confirming he should be back within “a matter of days.” Kai Havertz remains weeks away from returning after knee surgery complications.
For Villa, Emiliano Martinez is a major doubt with a back injury that kept him out against Brighton. The Argentine was forced to withdraw from the lineup after experiencing pain during the warm-up. Ross Barkley is ruled out for 8-12 weeks with a knee injury suffered against Wolves. Tyrone Mings remains sidelined with a thigh injury and won’t be available until late December at the earliest.
Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Buendia, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Timber, Hincapié, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Read More: Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brentford: Gunners Restore Five-Point Lead With 2-0 Win
Arsenal Women look to bounce back from consecutive frustrating results when they host bottom-of-the-table Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have drawn their last two WSL matches and sit fourth, eight points behind leaders Manchester City, while the Reds remain winless with just two points from eight games.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Saturday, December 6, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Football
Form Guide
Arsenal held Tottenham to a goalless north London derby at Brisbane Road on November 16, dominating possession but failing to convert 13 attempts into goals.
Three days later, they came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League at Meadow Park, with Alessia Russo scoring twice after Caroline Weir’s opener.
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Anfield before the international break, their second consecutive draw following a 1-1 stalemate with Brighton. The Reds sit bottom with two points and have lost all three away fixtures, scoring just once on the road this season.
Team News
Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly is a major doubt after lasting just 20 minutes of England’s 2-0 win over Ghana on Tuesday, clutching her knee following a blocked cross. Sarina Wiegman confirmed Kelly “felt something with her knee that didn’t feel right” but could walk off. Her availability for Saturday remains uncertain.
Captain Kim Little could return after missing international duty, though Lia Walti remains unavailable. Leah Williamson continues recovering from her Euro 2025 knee injury. Katie Reid (ACL), Lina Hurtig, Laura Wienroither and Manuela Zinsberger (ACL) are all long-term absentees.
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk is ruled out for 10 days after suffering a calf problem during England training. Risa Shimizu also remains sidelined. Sophie Roman Haug and Marie Hobinger are long-term casualties with ACL injuries suffered days apart in October.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Little; Foord, Maanum, Mead; Russo
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Laws; Parry, Clark, Matthews, Hinz; Holland, Nagano; Lundgaard, Daniels, Enderby; Olsson
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