The new season is fast approaching and the biggest teams in England are readying themselves to battle it out for one of the world’s most prestigious league prizes.
It has been all change over the summer, with the transfer window seeing prices skyrocket as fresh faces, both on the pitch and in the dugout, have joined the top flight.
Who will lift the trophy come next summer remains to be seen, but all the early signs are pointing towards two clear favourites: Premier League champions Arsenal and Enzo Maresca‘s Manchester City.
With their first clash of the new campaign getting under way today in Cardiff, the stats gurus over at Sofascore have given the lowdown on both teams, building an ideal XI.
And it seems that City have just about edged Arsenal on player count, beating their rivals by six players to five in a 4-3-3 formation. Let’s take a look and let us know if you agree in the comments…
Who will lift the trophy come next summer remains to be seen, but all the early signs are pointing towards two clear favourites: Premier League champions Arsenal and Man City
With their first clash of the new campaign getting under way today in Cardiff, the stats gurus over at Sofascore have given the lowdown on both teams, building an ideal combined XI
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Man City).
Sofascore rating: 7.02/10
Sofascore has opted to start the big Italian between the sticks.
It is fair to say that, despite some hairy moments, Donnarumma’s debut season in England was largely a success. Despite narrowly missing out on the title, the former Paris Saint-Germain No1 commanded a defence that managed to keep 15 clean sheets in the Premier League last season. The 6ft 5in giant produced some excellent individual performances, as well as a number of miraculous moments.
Many fans may prefer his opposite number and Premier League Golden Glove winner, David Raya. However, with the Community Shield and the subsequent beginning of the new season looming, both keepers will have the opportunity to better the other. Donnarumma will surely be desperate to remind people just how great he can be.
It is fair to say that, despite some hairy moments, Donnarumma’s debut season in England was largely a success
Right back: Matheus Nunes (City)
Sofascore rating: 6.95/10
From one obvious inclusion to a more surprising one, Nunes beats out Jurrien Timber to earn the right back spot.
Nunes was, of course, originally signed to play central midfield, but in classic Pep Guardiola fashion the former City boss moulded the Portuguese international into a quintessentially modern inverted wing back. Nunes’ calmness on the ball and ability to progress possession suit his new role perfectly and offer new boss Enzo Maresca an interesting option on the right-hand side.
Nunes’s contributions for City have, for years, been underappreciated and overshadowed by the brilliance of his predecessor, Kyle Walker, but the facts don’t lie. Nunes has consistently performed well above what many football fans expect of him, as shown by his Sofascore ratings, and if City beat Arsenal at the weekend, Nunes will lift his sixth trophy with the Sky Blues in three years. He has already secured a Premier League title, an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Nunes’ contributions for City have, for years, been underappreciated and overshadowed by the brilliance of his predecessor, Kyle Walker
centre-back: Gabriel (Arsenal)
Sofascore rating, 7.27/10
Gabriel was one of, if not the best, in his position last season, and with the new campaign less than two weeks away, the Brazilian will be eager to retain that status.
Fans will be buzzing not only to see whether Gabriel maintains the level of form he managed last season, but also for the next instalment of the centre-back’s heated rivalry with Erling Haaland. Their battles and bust-ups have been an entertaining aspect of City-Arsenal title deciders and cup finals over the past three years.
The Norwegian currently has the upper hand after netting a brace to knock Gabriel’s Brazil out of the World Cup, and Gabriel will undoubtedly be looking for revenge.
Gabriel was one of, if not the best, in his position last season, and with the new campaign less than two weeks away, the Brazilian will be eager to retain that status
centre-back: Marc Guehi (City)
Sofascore rating, 7.30/10
Joining Gabriel at the heart of the defence is City’s ball-playing centre-back, Marc Guehi.
With William Saliba unable to play at the Principality, the Cobham graduate is a no-brainer for this XI. Since joining City from Crystal Palace in January this year, Guehi has been nothing short of exceptional. Embodying the modern centre-half, the England international boasts the technical ability of an attacking midfielder while also possessing the capacity for brutish yet efficient defensive work.
If City are to keep the Premier League champions at bay in Cardiff, Guehi will be at the epicentre of their resistance.
If City are to keep the Premier League champions at bay in Cardiff, Guehi will be at the epicentre of their resistance
Left back: Josko Gvardiol (City).
Sofascore rating: 6.99/10
The last member of a stellar combined defence is the versatile Croatian.
Often credited with being able to play anywhere across the backline, today Gvardiol will slot in on the left of our starting XI, a wholly deserved inclusion even considering the tibial fracture that saw him miss the second half of last season.
Since his return the 24-year-old has looked back to his best, performing well in City’s latest pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid.
The new City boss, Enzo Maresca, is likely to deploy Gvardiol in a similar role to the one Guardiola assigned to him, one that depends on the full-back inverting and being equally comfortable both on and off the ball. Gvardiol has always managed to fulfil this role well, transforming himself from a traditional centre-back into a goal-scoring and assist-providing full-back over the past two seasons.
The last member of a stellar combined defence is the versatile Croatian, Josko Gvardiol
Central midfield: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Sofascore rating, 7.46
Anchoring what is a truly world-class midfield is the man who epitomises elite consistency in the Premier League today. Declan Rice was thought to be overvalued by Arsenal when they paid more than £105million for the midfielder in 2023 but since then most would agree that fee now looks like a bargain.
Over the past three seasons, Rice has only improved, with each game showcasing his acute defensive acumen while also yielding a respectable number of goals and assists, especially in big matches. Now, after bringing the Emirates faithful that elusive Premier League title, he will be aiming to add more silverware to the cabinet. The Gunners’ skipper will have the opportunity to win his second Community Shield and Arsenal’s 18th today.
Anchoring what is a truly world-class midfield is the man who epitomises elite consistency in the Premier League today: Declan Rice
Central midfield: Elliot Anderson (City)
Sofascore rating: 7.34/10
Joining Rice in midfield, just as he did for England in the summer, is City’s big-money signing, Elliot Anderson.
£115million from a Nottingham Forest side that spent most of last year in a relegation battle seems like a steep price. However, I think it is safe to assume that Enzo Maresca and the City fans would have paid whatever was required for Anderson’s services.
A player with the young man’s qualities is like gold dust to the modern manager. His press resistance, combined with surgical passing and shooting, results in a truly devastating midfield profile.
If selected this weekend, it will be Anderson’s competitive City debut, and he will be thrown in at the deep end against that Arsenal midfield. However, one might suggest that the champions will have more on their hands in the midfield battle with the new boy pulling the strings.
If selected this weekend, it will be Anderson’s competitive City debut, and he will be thrown in at the deep end against that Arsenal midfield
Central midfield: Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal)
Sofascore rating: 7.45/10
Speaking of big-money moves, rounding out the midfield three is the new £75million man, Bruno Guimaraes.
After a summer-long transfer saga, Mikel Arteta has finally got his man. The former Newcastle skipper completes a truly frightening Arsenal midfield that, with both quality and depth, is poised to begin the defence of its title.
All Premier League fans will be aware of Bruno’s ability by now, so it will be fascinating to see how Arteta deploys the Brazilian and how he works alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park, especially considering their similarities.
The former Newcastle skipper completes a truly frightening Arsenal midfield that, with both quality and depth, is poised to begin the defence of its title
Right wing: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Sofascore rating, 7.24
Beginning our star-studded attack is the Starboy, Bukayo Saka.
The England third-place play-off hero is the latest Premier League player to fall somewhat victim to his own brilliance. His level of consistency over the past four seasons has given fans unrealistic expectations of the winger, yet he still meets them.
Any suggestion that Saka may take his foot off the gas after finally winning the title was ignored instantly after his performances at the World Cup, in which Saka showed that he is just getting started at the top level.
Saka’s level of consistency over the past four seasons has given fans unrealistic expectations of the winger, yet he still meets them
Striker: Erling Haaland (City)
Sofascore rating: 7.31
Perhaps the most obvious selection: up top is the immutably excellent Erling Haaland.
Fresh off carrying Norway to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final, the big man will want to set the tone for the club season with a win against Arsenal, especially considering his and the champions’ recent history. The Norwegian has a stellar record against the Gunners, scoring five goals and registering two assists in the nine matches he has played against them while at City.
Today’s game will also be our first opportunity to see how Maresca will work utilise Haaland. The new boss has already explained that he is not going to be a copy-and-paste version of Guardiola’s, so his decisions on Sunday will be of great interest to the tactical boffins.
Maresca has not historically set his teams up in a system that funnels the ball to one player, but he may have to adapt, much like his predecessor, to maximise Haaland’s output.
The Norwegian has a stellar record against the Gunners, scoring five goals and registering two assists in the nine matches he has played against them while at City
Left wing: Christos Tzolis (Arsenal)
Sofascore rating: 7.71
The final member of the attack is another new Arsenal incoming, Greek international Christos Tzolis.
While Arsenal fans will know what to expect from Guimaraes, they could be forgiven for being less clued up on their new winger. They may be surprised to learn that Tzolis spent three years at Carrow Road with Norwich City and was even relegated with the Canaries in 2022. However, since then, the quick and direct winger has spent two years at Club Brugge, where he has really come into his own, winning three trophies in two seasons in Belgium alongside a Pro League Player of the Year award last season.
With the highest Sofascore rating in this whole XI, Arsenal fans should expect great things from the new boy, and Nunes should expect a serious headache.
