Possible starting XI for Arsenal's first pre-season friendly against RC Lens

Ahead of their tour of the United States, Arsenal begin their preseason campaign a little closer to home when they take on RC Lens in northern France on Friday (22 July).

Arsene Wenger has given four weeks' holiday to his players who had lengthy summer campaigns with their respective nations at the Copa America and Euro 2016.

Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey are among those resting up, while new signing Granit Xhaka has only just arrived for his first day at London Colney today (Thursday 21 July).

So what XI will Wenger field? IBTimes UK consider the options.

Emiliano Martinez (Goalkeeper)

Petr Cech only confirmed his return to training on Wednesday, which means 23-year-old Martinez could start. David Ospina is yet to return after representing Colombia at the Copa America, while Wojciech Szczesny appears close to rejoining Roma.

Calum Chambers (Right-back)

Hector Bellerin is yet to return after Spain's ill-fated Euro 2016 campaign and with Carl Jenkinson still to return to training after suffering a serious knee injury while on loan at West Ham last season, Chambers is likely to start.

Per Mertesacker (Centre-half)

Retired from international duty, the big German should be well rested after a summer off and is one of the senior Gunners players to make the trip.

Gabriel (Centre-half)

The Brazilian defender is another first-teamer who immediately reported back to training after the summer break and has an early opportunity to impress Wenger.

Kieran Gibbs (Left-back)

Wenger has a senior option across his backline despite numerous absences, with Gibbs and Nacho Monreal both available to slot in at left back.

Mohamed Elneny (Centre midfield)

The arrival of Granit Xhaka means Elneny will have a great incentive to impress ahead of the start of the new season. The Egyptian's performances following his January arrival from FC Basel grew better with each week last season and he will be one those to benefit most from a full pre-season campaign. Jack Wilshere's return to training last week suggests the England international could also come in, however; he also needs games like air.

Francis Coquelin (Centre midfield)

There has been a distinct lack of Santi Cazorla in training pictures released by Arsenal over the last week, despite the Spaniard revealing via Twitter on 4 July that he was back in training. His name was also omitted from the shortlist of first-team players listed as travelling on Arsenal's official website. With his participation in doubt, Coquelin could feature.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide (Attacking midfielder)

One of the youngsters travelling with the squad, the 18-year-old Frenchman could feature against the club Arsenal plucked him from just last summer. His cameo against Wolfsburg in the Emirates Cup last summer gave fans a glimpse of his burgeoning potential; they will be eager to see more.

Alex Iwobi (Left attacking midfielder)

With Sanchez and Ozil returning to training later than planned, Iwobi could have an important role to play at the start of the season. A measure of that was seen when the Gunners blocked Nigeria's attempts to call him up for their squad for their campaign at the Olympic Games in Rio; Wenger is very keen to have him around. After his impressive end to last season, he will be eager to start in attack.

Theo Walcott (Centre forward)

Hopes of Alvaro Morata or Gonzalo Higuain arriving at the Emirates are fading fast, and with Giroud still on his summer holidays, there is another chance for Walcott at centre forward.

Gedion Zelalem, Ben Sheaf, Marcus McGuane and Krystian Bielik are among the other Arsenal hopefuls pictured in training this week who could make the trip. Joel Campbell, who recently underlined his intention to fight for a first-team role in north London, could also make the trip with Yaya Sanogo and Chuba Akpom also back at the club.