Arsenal's dream XI for the opening weekend of the Premier League as 'two key transfers agreed'

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Mikel Arteta will hope Andrea Berta can finalise any remaining business before the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. In less than four weeks, Arsenal will face Manchester United at Old Trafford in what is set to be an electric start to the campaign.

Before the Gunners lock horns with Ruben Amorim's side, they've got a few friendlies to play. Later this month, Arsenal will jet off to Singapore to test themselves against AC Milan and Newcastle before taking on Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong.

Once the north Londoners' tour of Asia comes to an end, they'll host Villarreal and Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta will then have just under two weeks to step up his side's preparations for the United clash.

The summer transfer window doesn't shut until September 1, but the Arsenal boss won't want any disruptions or distractions once the English top-flight is underway. Berta has more than enough time to bolster the squad, but he knows that'll pass by in the blink of an eye.

So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what business Arsenal must address before the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

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Arsenal's 2025/26 home kit

Arsenal has launched the new home kit for the 2025/26 season, featuring a nod to the Gunners' classic 1990/91 league-winning home shirt.

Arteta's backline remains unchanged

Arteta has already laid the foundations to a formidable title bid. The Spaniard boasts one of, if not, the strongest backlines in the Premier League, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba at centre-half, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, as well as Jurrien Timber and Ben White at right-back.

If Arsenal can add Christian Mosquera to that pool of talent, Arteta will back his side to keep the fiercest of strikers at bay. Not to mention David Raya, who, alongside Matz Sels, won the Premier League Golden Glove last term, the Gunners could keep clean sheets for fun.

William Saliba and Gabriel talk on the pitch for Arsenal

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes for Arsenal

Zubimendi breathes new life into Arsenal

Arteta will hope Martin Zubimendi can breathe new life into Arsenal. The 26-year-old midfielder, who Arsenal signed from Real Sociedad in a deal worth almost £60m, will give Declan Rice some much-needed assistance in build-up.

With Zubimendi dictating the tempo and recycling possession against low-blocks, Martin Odegaard will be given more freedom to roam the final-third. The Arsenal captain has always enjoyed unlocking defences, so, with someone else pulling the strings, he can focus on creating chances for his forwards.

Martin Zubimendi at the Sobha Realty Training Centre following his signing for Arsenal at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 02, 2025

Martin Zubimendi at the Sobha Realty Training Centre following his transfer to Arsenal

Two new faces bolster Arsenal's attack

The frontline has needed a fresh lick of paint for a while now, with Bukayo Saka often shouldering much of the workload. Fortunately for Arteta, Berta looks set to significantly upgrade Arsenal's armoury.

Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both continue to be heavily linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium. The Sporting CP striker could finally give the Gunners the cutting edge that they've so desperately craved, while the Crystal Palace talisman provides Saka with much-needed support on the opposite flank.

Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres

So...

In an ideal world, when Arsenal face United, Arteta will field a starting lineup that looks something like this: David Raya; Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber; Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Eberechi Eze (from Crystal Palace), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP), Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023

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