Mikel Arteta has shuffled his pack for today’s friendly against Bayer Leverkusen, with David Raya and William Saliba getting their first minutes of pre-season.
The duo are included in our starting line-up for the game against the German champions, having represented their nations during Euro 2024 and thus missing our US Tour to allow them time to recover.
Also given time off were Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka and all three are included on our bench, while Leandro Trossard, Fabio Vieira and Jorginho all come into our line-up having been substitutes in our last game against Liverpool a week ago.
Leverkusen meanwhile have named Granit Xhaka in their side for his first return to north London since departing last summer. Florian Wirtz also starts after starring last season to win the Bundesliga Player of the Year award, while Matej Kovar gets the nod to start in goal.
Summer signings Martin Terrier and Aleix Garcia also get the opportunity to play from the off, with former Gunners academy player Nathan Tella on the bench alongside last season's top scorer Victor Boniface.
Line-ups
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Odegaard, Havertz, Vieira, Trossard, Jesus.
Subs: Ramsdale, Setford, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Kiwior, Heaven, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Saka, Nelson, Nketiah.
Leverkusen: Kovar, Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Kossounou, Hincapie, Xhaka, Garcia, Wirtz, Adli, Terrier.
Subs: Hradecky, Lomb, Arthur, Belocin, Puerta, Andreich, Hofmann, Tella, Holzek, Boniface.
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