Premier League: Opinion - Arsenal's predicted starting XI for the 2019/20 season

Central Midfielder - Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka will be running the show from the deep

The Swiss International ran the show for Arsenal last season, orchestrating the play from deep. Everything good in the Arsenal camp went through his boot and his overall contribution to the game was outstanding. Granit Xhaka is a fantastic passer of the ball, and also reads the game very well. This allows him to anticipate the opponents moves and create openings for his teammates. Without the ball, the Swiss International is equally effective, breaking up play, making crucial tackles and also winning aerial duels. And the fact that he can also come up with goals from the midfield makes him vital to Emery.

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Central Midfielder - Lucas Torreira

Lucas Torreira is the midfield terrier for Arsenal

The Uruguayan joined Arsenal last summer, after catching the eye in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Lucas Torreira is the perfect foil to the silky Xhaka and is a terrier on the field. He is busy as a bee whenever Arsenal lose possession, closing down opponents, winning back the ball and getting those tackles in. And when the Gunners do move forward in attack, the Uruguayan regularly ventures into the box, taking up good positions and trying to set his teammates up. He also has an eye for the goal, and scored 2 and set up 2 goals from 34 appearances in the Premier League last season. This year too, Torreira can be expected to have a similar impact from midfield.