4-2-3-1: Arsenal predicted XI vs Leverkusen, four changes in pre-season finale as new signings get their debut in a must win match

The second leg of Arsenal’s preseason has ended in an instant. After spending two weeks at the Sobha Realty training facility, Mikel Arteta’s team had a focused three-match sprint in America before returning to London for the last few games.

The Premier League will resume with two more games, both of which will take place at the Emirates Stadium, which is a more comfortable venue. The difficult fixtures keep coming, starting with a reunion with Granit Xhaka and Bayer Leverkusen next.

Little respite is in store for Arteta and his team, who have already had to deal with preparations for the summer’s Copa America and the Euros after facing both Manchester United and Liverpool. There are just over two weeks until football competitions resume, and several of the important players have not yet returned.

Bukayo Saka did not practise with his teammates while in the United States and did not play in Wednesday’s early match against Liverpool. Aaron Ramsdale is currently abroad as well, having spent more time in Germany than most when England advanced to the Euro 2024 final.

Declan Rice has not yet returned to the camp, but he has been spotted working out during his own vacation. William Saliba and David Raya are in the same group even though the latter was eliminated by France in the semifinals.

This is a core group of four starting players, except Ramsdale, who must swiftly rediscover their spark in order to join the team in time to play against Leverkusen on Wednesday. But Arteta is optimistic that they will return to training soon.

When asked when they would be returning, he replied, “End of this week.” “I have a lot of confidence because they expressed a strong desire to participate as soon as feasible when I spoke with them. When they join, they’re prepared to go right away, without any delay. That isn’t the same.

Raya, Ramsdale, Rice, Saka, and Saliba will have a new teammate at Arsenal when they do begin preseason play. The sole senior addition to the team this window, Riccardo Calafiori, is still awaiting his debut after not being cleared to play against Liverpool.

Prior to the match, Arteta played it sly, but he will now have more time to bring the Italian up to speed before facing the Bundesliga champions led by Xabi Alonso. The coach said, “I don’t know,” on Monday. “He had a lengthy flight and the check-up yesterday. For him, the past 48 hours have been hectic.

“With the squad, he hasn’t really done much. See how he is, please. He might play a few minutes [against Liverpool] if he’s available, but we won’t press him if he’s not ready.

Arteta may give him an uncompetitive debut in north London on August 7, but she decided not to give him an early run out in the States. Jurrien Timber, who was rested in the loss to Liverpool, can possibly be chosen again against Leverkusen. After playing against both Bournemouth and Manchester United, the club decided to give him time off as he recovered from a long-term injury that had hampered his first season at Arsenal.

As the Dutchman was present at Lincon Financial Field with Calafiori, it is not believed to be a setback. It’s not the case for Takehiro Tomiyasu either.