Brasilian midfielder Edu starts the season on the sidelines too, as he has a back problem (which kept him out of the pre-season matches). Let's hope for his sake as well as ours that his second season doesn't turn out like his first. Edu looks to have real class and given the chance could come to challenge Vieira and van Bronckhorst for a starting place.

Another pretender to those positions, Junichi Inamoto, has been left out of the squad because he still needs to adjust to English football.

So it looks likely that Arsenal will start with Seaman in goal, Dixon Adams Campbell and Cole across the back, and Vieira van Bronckhorst Parlour and Pires in midfield. Up front is anybody's guess: all 5 strikers are travelling. But Henry must be a clear favourite to take one of the 2 places.

Another possibility is that Lauren will play at right back. He's been tried out there in the friendlies and seems certain to be at least our second choice number 2. Dixon hasn't been playing but is in the squad, and so remains a slight favourite to start the first match.

Boro's new recruits Gareth Southgate, Mark Wilson and Jonathan Greening all look certain to start. Dean Gordon, Noel Whelan and Carlos Marinelli are all sidelined along with another new signing, Slovakian striker Szilard Nemeth.