Arsenal new boy Kai Havertz could make his unofficial debut for the club when they meet German second-tier side Nuremberg at the Max-Morlock-Stadion on Thursday evening.
The ex-Chelsea man has travelled with the squad to his homeland following his £65m arrival and could take his place on the left-hand side of Arsenal's midfield three, a spot vacated by Bayer Leverkusen-bound Granit Xhaka.
Mikel Arteta is blessed with a near fully-fit squad for Thursday's game, but out-of-favour midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has revealed that he will miss out as he recuperates from a muscular injury.
On the other hand, the quintet of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny are being put through their paces after missing the end of the season through injury, but it is unclear if any of them will be risked from the start here.
With USA hero Matt Turner currently starring on Gold Cup duty, Aaron Ramsdale should start in goal, while Gabriel Magalhaes and Rob Holding are set to form the central pairing.
Amid rife speculation over his future, Kieran Tierney could be given the nod at left-back, while Ben White ought to hold his place on the opposite flank ahead of the arrival of Jurrien Timber.
Jorginho and Martin Odegaard may join Havertz in the midfield trident, although Thomas Partey - who could soon be bumped down the pecking order by Declan Rice - is still on the books despite reports of a possible move away.
Up front, the trio of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard could feature from the off before Arteta rings the changes, as the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Marquinhos - who scored in a 1-1 draw with Watford at the weekend - look to earn valuable minutes.
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Jorginho, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Ben Knapton
