Kudus and Nwaneri start in dream Arsenal XI for Bournemouth pre-season friendly

Arsenal will be flying to the United States this summer for three friendlies. While flying out on July 21, they face Bournemouth three days later at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.

Some players have already begun early pre-season preparations and are in Marbella with Mikel Arteta. The team will return to full training this month with some players’ returns delayed due to their participation at this year’s European Championships and Copa America.

With that in mind, football.london takes a look at who might be ready to play against the Cherries in a dream XI. We have taken into account both potential signings we’d love to see arrive at the club between now and the tour and those not yet ready to participate.

Having progressed through to the quarter-finals of the competition, England and France’s representatives could well not yet be ready to play in this game should both nations make the latter stages of the tournament and could, therefore, still be coming back from an extended break. This means Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and William Saliba plus any potential signings from either side are not being considered.

The same goes for Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli who are expected to go far in the Copa America. Some players however have already completed their international responsibilities and should be back by the time of the game.

The goalkeeper is difficult with Spain’s David Raya potentially going far into the tournament and not yet back. However, another Spanish keeper linked with a move, Joan Garcia, could make his debut if he does indeed get signed by Arsenal as a potential replacement for the expected departure of Ramsdale.

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Into the defence and Ben White can finally play some football this summer but this time at centre-half with Jurrien Timber opted for instead at right back. Having missed most of last season, seeing Timber on the field again is going to be an exciting prospect for supporters.

With no Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior whose Poland side did not get out of their group will be playing left centre half with Takehiro Tomiyasu starting at left back. Oleksandr Zinchenko should be ready to play but his future is also uncertain.

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Into midfield and Italy’s shock exit to Switzerland means Jorginho should be ready to play whilst Thomas Partey could have been sold by this stage. Ahead of the Italian, Martin Odegaard who had a summer off with Norway failing to qualify can start while there is a chance of a start for exciting teenager Ethan Nwaneri in the other attacking midfield role.

Up top, Saka and Martinelli’s absence means the returning Leandro Trossard can play. While Gabriel Jesus is also in for the start with Kai Havertz perhaps not yet ready either.

On the right though is a dream signing previously discussed at football.london, Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian can provide quality on either flank and the current West Ham attacker would be quite the coup to see in the States.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Garcia; Timber, White, Kiwior, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Nwaneri, Odegaard; Kudus, Jesus, Trossard