Mikel Arteta's best Arsenal starting XI after Viktor Gyokeres transfer breakthrough

Arsenal kick-start their Premier Leaguecampaign with a trip to Manchester United on Sunday, August 17. Mikel Arteta's side face the Red Devils at Old Trafford in their top-flight curtain-raiser next month.

After three successive second-place finishes, the Gunners are out to go one better and win the title for the first time in 22 years. Indeed, the last time Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions was 2003/04.

While the Gunners dropped off and ended up finishing 10 points behind eventual winners Liverpool last season, there were a number of mitigating circumstances, such as injuries and them focusing on the Champions League.

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Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were among the Arsenal players to miss a sustained period of the campaign, while Arsenal's progression in Europe's elite club competition meant their main attention started to go there.

If Arteta can keep his star men fit for most of the season, there is no reason how the Gunners can't challenge and go one step further to win the Premier League, based on the best XI and squad available to them next term.

Starting in goal in Arteta's best XI right now is David Raya. The Spaniard has been Arsenal's No.1 for the best part of two years since his move from Brentford and is expected to keep his spot in between the sticks. Kepa Arrizabalaga would be used as second-choice with Karl Hein or Tommy Setford as the No.3.

Moving to their back-line and this is quite straightforward. Jurrien Timber has cemented his place as Arsenal's best right-back ahead of Ben White, with William Saliba and Gabriel as the central defensive pairing. Of course, Cristhian Mosquera, who is set to sign from Valencia, and Jakub Kiwior would provide competition.

On the left-hand side of their back four would be Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old has been nothing short of sensational since breaking into the Gunners first-team and he is Arsenal's best left-back as things stand. Riccardo Calafiori should be kept and used as back-up to the teenage sensational.

The midfield three is where it spices right up. A double departure of Thomas Partey and Jorginho has opened up room for two new faces - with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard arriving to fill that space. However, just one is expected to come into the XI in Arteta's best Arsenal team next season.

Indeed, Zubimendi would start as the deepest midfielder, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard completing a dynamic and fierce midfield three. Norgaard, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri would be on the subs bench.

Into the forward line and Arsenal have some serious strength in depth here now. Saka is the star man on the right and would be the first name on the teamsheet, while new face Viktor Gyokeres would be Arteta's new No.9. He is closing in on a £63.5million move from Sporting CP and would be Arsenal's best striker next season.

Supporting Saka and Gyokeres would be Gabriel Martinelli. For me, this was a toss up between him and new boy Noni Madueke, but the Brazilian has got the nod due the fact he is a more natural left winger. Therefore Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard are the four 'finishers' to make up the squad.

Arsenal best starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.