Considering how strong Arsenal were last season, it was interesting that Arteta entrusted all three outfield players to start the club’s opening league game against Nottingham Forest. Timber slotted in at left-back, as he did in the Community Shield, with Rice and Havertz joining Martin Odegaard in a new-look midfield three.
Possessing greater variety can only be a positive – although it remains to be seen how the dynamic between Ramsdale and Raya plays out given neither will be happy to sit on the bench – and it will be interesting to see how Arteta handles the challenge of juggling a bigger squad. “In order to do that we have to pick the right players every week, not to start only but as well to finish. And the players that come in in the final part of the game really help us to earn the right to win.”