Arsenal Debate: Who Should Start for the Gunners Against Liverpool?

Arsenal will begin their 2010/2011 campaign with a tough encounter against rivals Liverpool. Both sides will be out to make an immediate impact after both endured fruitless campaigns last season. In what will be new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson's first official match the Reds will be eager to impress especially on home turf at the imposing Anfield.

However the Gunners have looked more than impressive during their pre-season campaign which has surely sparked a confidence surge into the Arsenal roster. But the injury bug has already hit the Emirates hard, decimating manager Arsene Wenger's men before the season has even begun. Captain Cesc Fabregas and vice captain Robin van Persie are both set to miss the opening encounter.

This comes as a huge blow for Wenger as it will see Arsenal without two vital members who control the fast paced Arsenal attack. Both are homegrown leaders in the young Gunners squad and are also tremendously lethal of set plays. But when injuries occur it always enables an opportunity for someone else and that will certainly be the case come Sunday.

If Arsenal are two set the standard and attempt to pursue the start they galloped off to last season they will need to be at their best and cannot afford any errors especially at the back. In what should be a thrilling opener who should start for the Gunners?

Goalkeeper 

When Arsenal finished last season without any silverware, Wenger vowed to implement changes into his squad, starting with the goalkeeper. Since the departure of Jens Lehman in 2008, Arsenal have lacked a commanding presence in goal.

Keepers Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabiansk have tried admirably at the front of the helm for the Gunners but both have a tendency to make vital errors and be too inconsistent. Furthermore the pair are not really credited to be first choice keepers at a club like Arsenal.

However, Wenger has failed to seduce a keeper this summer despite a host of rumours. This being the case it is likely current first choice Manuel Almunia will retain his place. The Spaniard has been solid during the preseason and looks to have reinstated confidence into himself.

Despite looking shaky at times during the Emirates Cup, Lukasz Fabianski is likely to be kept as deputy and receive a spot on the bench.

Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczensy will patiently wait until the League Cup comes to the Emirates.

Defence 

How will the Arsenal defence fair this season? Wenger has allowed experienced defenders Philippe Senderos, Sol Campbell, William Gallas, and Mikael Silvestre all depart and has only found one replacement in little-known Frenchman Laurent Koscienly, who arrived from French side FC Lorient for £10 million. The centre of defence looks to the main concern.

Expect to see usual flank defenders Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy. Sagna, as usual, will monitor the right and fans pray his crossing has improved. Clichy will barge down the left with his usual attacking potency.

But in the centre is the biggest conundrum. Thomas Vermaelen, who is expected to be the leader of the defence, will have the left central role which leaves a debate for the right central role.

Johan Djourou, who was absent for every game bar the last one last season due to injury, is still probably half a pace short to take on a full, fast paced match which will enable Koscienly to make his official Arsenal début. This will ensure the Arsenal defence boast great strength and control but lacks in height which will be a problem of set pieces.

However, Vermaelen looks to have matured greatly after a successful first season and Koscienly shows strong promise and many expect to duo to form a deadly defensive partnership. 

Midfield

There is a glaring injury cloud over a number of key midfielders. Cesc Fabregas is already missing and it is likely Denilson, Abou Diaby, and Alexandre Song will all be absent too. With Wenger destined to deploy three in the middle, expect to see inform Samir Nasri taking up Fabregas's role. 

The Frenchman has been immense during the pre season and many expect that 2010/2011 is the season where Samir Nasri becomes one of the world's best midfielders. With Alexandre Song under injury concern it could see talented teenager Emmanuel Frimpong, who impressed greatly during the preseason, receive his debut.

Song, who was such a force last season, leaves a big whole in the midfield due to his defensive qualities and aggression but Frimpong, who is similar to the Cameroon defensive midfield, will undoubtedly be a big impact. Still only 18, Frimpong has a tremendous passing range, great tackling traits, and strong intelligence. 

On the left could potentially see boom youngster, who made his English début yesterday against Hungary, Jack Wilshere start in his first ever Arsenal Premier League start. Wilshere is touted as the future replacement of Cesc Fabregas and the next huge thing in World Football. With Denilson and Abou Diaby potentially absent, Wilshere or Tomas Rosicky will receive the call.

Forwards

With Wenger set to play two wingers and a lone striker, Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin will feature on the left which should see pacey Englishman Theo Walcott on the right. Both will be vital in Arsenal attack as their pace and skill will be a huge asset. The pair must ensure they utilize their skills and feature heavily.

Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner will both miss the clash due to injuries which enables Marouane Chamakh, who signed from French giants Bordeaux in the Summer on a free agent, make his official Arsenal début.

The Moroccan's imposing stature will provide Arsenal with good strength and power upfront as well as a strong target. Chamakh has also been impressive during the preseason. Furthermore, the former Bordeaux man has longed to be at the Emirates for some time and now he is finally here.

Substitutes

There are seven spots on the Arsenal bench and Lukasz Fabianski has the goalkeeper role covered. Johan Djourou and Kieran Gibbs will be the backup defenders with Emmanuel Eboue, Rosicky, or Wilshere and Henri Lansbury with the midfield roles and Carlos Vela as the backup striker. Of course, fitness pending with several players.

A great game for the Gunners early on which will show whether or not they are capable title challengers this season or if they will crumble like seasons before.