FC Nurnberg vs Arsenal – Quick Overview:
In a nostalgic fixture that brings back memories of last season, Mikel Arteta’s men are all set to face Bundesliga’s second division side FC Nurnberg at the Max-Morlock-Stadion tomorrow. Similar to last year’s emphatic 5-3 win which saw debutant Gabriel Jesus net a brace, Gooners around the world are eager to see their team back in action.
About FC Nurnberg:
The nine-time German title winners have been struggling to make it out of the second-division of league football, most recently finishing 14th in 2022-23 season. The side that once went unbeaten 104 games in their glory days will be looking for an optimisic start to their new season with reserve team manager, Cristian Fiel stepping up to take charge.
The German side have already played three friendlies in the previous 12 days that saw them secure 2 wins and a draw in an impressive build-up to the game against Arsenal, where Fiel’s men found the net 6 times while only conceding 3 goals. The team’s Japanese attacking duo of Daichi Hayashi and new signing Kanji Okunuki have been in fine form, with Okunuki on target for his team in their last match against Hungarian side FC Diosgyori.
Arsenal Team News:
The Gunners have been training at the Adidas HQ in Herzogenaurach, Germany with their 30 men squad since the last 3 days and hope to be off to a flying start for their upcoming season with more eyes on the club this year than anytime else in recent history. With consideration to the upcoming USA pre-season tour where the club will be playing thrice in 7 days including matches against Manchester United and FC Barcelona, Mikel Arteta would be looking to involve a higher degree of younger players and rotate the squad throughout the fixture. Arsenal fans would be eagerly anticipating new signing Kai Havertz to make his debut wearing red and white tomorrow in his home-country as well.
Checking in for Day Two 👊
📍 adidas HQ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 11, 2023
The players missing out on the action against Nurnberg tomorrow include: Emile Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares, who are resting after their involvement in the U-21 Euros for England and Portugal respectively. Goalkeeper Matt Turner will be playing the Gold Cup semi-final for the USMNT tomorrow and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokogna is out with a minor muscular injury.
The squad available at Mikel Arteta’s disposal tomorrow includes:
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Runarsson, Arthur Okonkwo and Karl Hein.
Defenders: Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Ben White, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Cedric Soares, Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Austin Trusty, Lino Sousa and Reull Walters.
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe, Folarin Balogun, Reiss Nelson, Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal Predicted XI:
Similar to last year, Aaron Ramsdale is expected to be rested and with second choice Turner unavailable, the most probable choice between the posts is Arthur Okonkwo, who featured against FC Nurnberg last season as well. With majority of the first team likely being in rotation, Walters, Holding, Tierney and Cedric Soares could be expected to start in defence. Similarly in midfield, Elneny, Vieira and Jorginho could start the game with Kai Havertz likely making his debut as a substitute in the game later on. After recently signing a new contract, Reiss Nelson is expected to feature along with Eddie Nketiah and Marquinhos upfront.
Predicted Lineup: Okonkwo, Cedric, Walters, Holding, Tierney, Elneny, Vieira, Jorginho, Nelson, Nketiah and Marquinhos.
An Opportunity To Build:
With arguably the most exciting and successful campaign last season by Arsenal in their recent past, they now have an opportunity to build upon the progress made last year and keep their fans & players in high spirits for an upcoming crucial campaign which is going to define the club’s future. Tomorrow’s fixture against FC Nurnberg is certainly going to be regarded highly by Mikel Arteta and his men.
