Saliba starts for Arsenal in their friendly against MK Dons

William Saliba is in Arsenal’s starting eleven for their friendly against MK Dons. 

This will be the North London club’s first pre-season game as they begin their preparations for the Community Shield where they will face Liverpool this saturday at Wembley. Leno takes his place in goal and Holding will partner Saliba in central defence. Ainsley Maitland Niles makes a surprise start despite the fact that he is closing in on a move to Wolves. Club captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is also in the starting eleven. New signing George Lewis is on the bench.

The match can be watched on Arsenal’s official website. It will begin at 6 PM United Kingdom time. 

The Premier League season kicks off on September 12th and Arsenal’s opening game is against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The North London side’s first home game of the campaign will be against West Ham United the following week. The Gunners finished eighth in the Premier League last season and will be aiming to have a significantly improved season and finish in the top four to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The club have already secured the signing of Willian and seem on the verge of officially announcing Gabriel’s move to the Emirates. Arsenal remain keen on overhauling their midfield and are interested in signing Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid and Houssem Aouar from Lyon, according to the Daily Mail. The Gunners are expecting a significant number of outgoings this summer.