Arteta to make two changes | Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Liverpool as £27m star returns
Arsenal host Liverpool in tonight’s much-awaited Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are currently five points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the table, and have the opportunity to extend the advantage against the Reds.
They have not beaten Arne Slot’s side in the last three meetings, including a 1-0 defeat at Anfield this season. Arsenal will aim to end their winless streak and boost their title prospects.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta could make a couple of changes to the starting XI.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya is an undisputed starter between the sticks. He has kept nine clean sheets in the league campaign, and will be eyeing another shutout against the reigning English champions.
The defence will be unchanged from the 3-2 win over Bournemouth on the road. Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie are expected to line up on the right and left side of the four-man backline.
Riccardo Calafiori has been ruled out of the game alongside Cristhian Mosquera.
William Saliba is set to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the Gunners’ defence.
Similarly, Arteta has an easy choice to make in the centre of the park. Martin Zubimendi will line up alongside Declan Rice centrally, with Martin Odegaard operating as the number 10.
There will obviously be a couple of changes in the final third. Noni Madueke played a big part in the opening Gunners goal against the Cherries, but he will make way for Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
The Arsenal graduate came up with a vital assist for Rice after coming on as a substitute last weekend. It proved to be the match-winner.
On the left wing, it could be a straightforward choice for the manager with Leandro Trossard coming in to replace Gabriel Martinelli, who had a poor outing on the South Coast on Saturday.
Trossard has been superb to watch in the league this season with nine goal contributions. He has good memories of facing Liverpool, scoring six goals and providing two assists from 12 meetings.
The £27 million signing is enjoying the best spell of his Arsenal career, and should get the nod over Martinelli and Eberechi Eze on the left side of the attack against the Reds.
Gabriel Jesus did score in the last home game against Aston Villa, but Viktor Gyokeres is poised to lead the line due to his better pressing and stronger aerial presence.
The Swede may not be scoring regular goals, but he played a big part in Rice’s first goal last weekend, creating space by inviting five Bournemouth players towards him.
How Arsenal could line up vs Liverpool
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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