I’m curious about team selection for this one, Timber and White are both excellent, I can’t really split them other than Benny Blanco has a better understanding with Saka and needs an opportunity in the summer matches to flash his thigh tan. Gykores and Kai decision might be interesting too, maybe Kai starts based on fitness and preparation, Gykores to come on to finish.

The real discussion point for me is Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly, where it pains me to say it, because we all love Myles, but I think L-S has looked vulnerable of late. I think in the CL game 2nd leg v PSG they targeted him a bit, I think he’s got caught a few times now in possession, out of position, and since then he’s experiencing a little plateau of form, which all young players do. Not that I saw every minute of every one, pre-season games haven’t been good for him, in my humble opinion. For me, Calafiori adds a lot of benefits to that troublesome left flank, with his marauding from LB, he’s physically more imposing, more experienced, I think he might get the nod. My only reservations regarding Calafiori I think that he’s better as a centre back in my opinion, which makes it difficult for him to get in the team, but my hunch is the Arteta really loves him, and wants to find a slot for him.

My only concern with him really is I think he’s a little vulnerable 1on 1 in wide areas, I know as a junior player he was only ever a fullback, so he should know the position inside and out, and he was moved to CB late in life, probably had some insane growth-spirt because he’s a bit of a colossus, but (injury susceptibility to one side), I think it’s very hard to ignore him and I can see him keeping LS out the team this season for long periods. The cynic in me thinks that now L-S has signed a new contract and not going anywhere, he will become more of a utility player now, in and out of the team. I might be wrong, I’m sure he’s got lots of upside still to come, and probably 100 caps or more for England, but maybe this season is going to be difficult for him.