My Arsenal line-up against Everton with Martinelli starting – What’s yours?

Predicted Arsenal lineup against Everton

 

Just a week ago, the only major concern for Arsenal fans was whether their team would win an away tie against Czech side Slavia Prague in the Europa League. Fast forward a day, the Gunners settled the fans’ nerves in an impressive win at Prague.

But their inconsistent season was on display yet again, after they drew to third-bottom Fulham. Their frustrations of this match were amplified when the club released an official statement, almost at the cusp of midnight on 18th April, that they would be joining a breakaway league, European Super League.

Even though, within 72 hours, the club released another statement that they would not be joining the league, the anger in the Arsenal faithful has till not vanished, understandably.

The club’s supporters are planning to protest against owner Stan Kroenke, who was believed to be a spearhead in the ‘Super League talks,’ before the match against Everton on Friday.

Moving on to the predictions to the match against The Toffees, it is worth pointing out that Mikel Arteta got plenty of time to prepare for this one.

The Gunners will get a further six-day break before they lock horns against Spanish side Villarreal, which can make or break their season. Thus, Arteta can go full gas against the Merseyside club.

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno will be expected to be in goal after he was given a breather against fellow London club Fulham.

Defense

With the absence of David Luiz, Rob Holding’s position in the starting 11 would not be in jeopardy. The real question is who will start alongside him? Gabriel played with him in the last match, and Pablo Mari the game before that. The Holding-Mari partnership has looked more solid than the Holding-Gabriel. And given the counter-attacking threat Everton possess, Mari will be given the nod ahead of his countryman.

Granit Xhaka has filled in the left-back slot and has undoubtedly done a good job. The Swiss is likely to carry on being the makeshift left-back. Right-back is where things get intriguing. Hector Bellerin has been in and out of the team this year. It appears like Cedric and Calum Chambers have strengthened their positions as more reliable options than the Spaniard.

Given Chambers has been the best of the three in the past few weeks, he will start.

Midfield

Thomas Partey was on the bench for the match against Fulham, so he will be expected to start alongside Dani Ceballos, who has been exceptional of late. The Real Madrid loanee even scored his first Premier League goal last weekend, only to see it ruled out for the smallest of margins.

On the right-wing, Bukayo Saka would be an obvious choice. On the right, it will likely be Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian has looked a far greater threat when deployed as a left-winger.

The former Lille man, with no doubt whatsoever, looks more unpredictable on the left than his favoured position at the right.

Although Martin Odegaard has started training with the first team, it is improbable that he will be given a start against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Emile Smith Rowe will yet again start, but fans can expect Odegaard to be given an outing at the latter stages of the match.

He will have a greater role to play in the crucial Europa League tie next week.

Forward

Gabriel Martinelli can be handed a start at the unprecedented center forward position, taking into consideration his pace and energy, which Arteta likes from his center-forward.

Handing Eddie Nketiah a start can prove costly, considering he has barely played for the Gunners this year.

Majority of the Arsenal fans have already put all their eggs in the Europa League basket. But that is not the case with Mikel Arteta, who would see the game against Everton, just like a normal one.

Leno

Chambers Holding Mari Xhaka

Partey Ceballos

Saka Smith-Rowe Pepe

Martinelli

 

Yash Bisht

Tags Everton line-up Martinelli

31 Comments

  1. Yeah, I think Arteta would start with those players. But maybe he’d field Bellerin instead of Chambers, to keep up with Richarlison’s pace

    1. Pointless u got some1 who has pace but no football mind..
      He’s got pace but yet gets exposed by players slower and less pacey.. Now imagine Richarlison at he’s best doing he’s business what’s gonna happen to that idiot..
      Reminder Richarlison is a big game player

    1. Me too.. Cause nketiah is just not good enough, yeah right he got that goal at fulham in a game against opposition we shouldn’t be trailing, opponents we should be hammering. It was basic central forward work, school boy work, center forward movement and tap in.. Reality is, he nketiah can be a squad player but is better off going somewhere else.. It’s either arsenal dropping further down or just don’t wanne grow and catch up, cause nketiah is championship material. Sorry not good or big enough

  2. Erm the league is lost. We ain’t getting top 4 at all. And probably not top 6. Because of this my line up is

    Leno

    Bellerin Holding Mari Xhaka

    Elnenay partey

    Pepe Smith-Rowe martinelli

    Balogon/nketia

    I think personally saka has played more than enough games and we don’t want him to get injured. We have see it 2 or 3 times this season tho boy is tired imo.

    Secondly martinelli needs a chance to strut his stuff and pepe well he has been a great asset this season imo and not rewarded for it and so should start.

    Bellerin is obviously leaving imo and we should put him in the shop window.

    Lastly 45 mins each for the young striker. Weird yes but I don’t know who is better. Maybe start nketia as he is the most likely to be sold.

  3. I think it’s a good idea seen matineli start up-front with his energy and speed, while Pablo Mari pair holding in the defence.

  4. Lets think of Villarreal next week in mind also.

    Ryan
    Chambers Holding Mari Xhaka
    Partey Cabellos
    SmithRowe (Øde 60′ comes on)
    Saka (70mins be enough)
    Martinelli
    Pepe

    Need those 2 fresh for Thursdays Semi Final. If Ryan messes up here then Leno for Thurs.

    Gabby has a real chance this Fri with Laca & Auba both out, maybe a run out for Bologun also.

    Just shows we lack in Midfield when Danny isnt ours, Elneny is average & Xhaka playing better at LB.

    A Bissouma in there with Partey would make us a different animal.

  5. Have no interest in the Everton game whatsoever couldn’t care less what the result was will not waste my time watching the same rubbish as on Sunday against Fulham until the right changes are made I’m done for the season!!

  6. Let’s not put too much pressure on Martinelli. He’s a good player but not exceptional.
    If he fails to score in our remaining matches, we will be the same people to criticize him. Nketiah was a king when he scored twice against Norwich during Wenger’s era. Look at him now.

    I will start Nketiah on Friday at the expense of Martinelli.

  7. Arteta should just start some of these youngsters (Balogun, Azeez) together with Martinelli. He’s got nothing to lose, more so this season is done already in the league. Should keep key players fresh for Villarreal

    1. I’d like to see Azeez and Balogun as well but suspect Arteta won’t go that route until a Europa spot is out of reach.

      My gut is Martinelli continues on left and Nketiah gets a reward for his late goal on Sunday. Worry about Xhaka and Chambers at left and right back. They’ve done admirably but concerned if they, particularly Xhaka, come up against a pacey attack.

  8. Nketiah vs Martinelli. Martinelli every day of the week. It’s pretty clear to see. Why not start Balogun too? C’mon Arteta stop being scared. If you don’t shoot you don’t kill, gotta take risks and now is the time. C’mon Arteta time to be brave.

    1. Sean
      I would play sake right, Balogun up top, Martinelli left and ESR as a 10 and let him roam
      Agree with you about firing the bullets as we do have them and MA being brave. We have nothing to play for in the league so let’s blood younger players and start forming a core of the team for next season

  9. Rather see Martinelli or Balogun as striker, Nketiah offers nothing but tap ins, he is a poacher at best.

    That being said, would not surprise me to see Nketiah start as a striker, and Willian to somehow get a nod as well. Arteta loves to tinker with lineups to try and prove how smart he is.

    With all the days in-between, there is no reason why he should not pick the best 11 and play them in both upcoming matches.

  10. O T

    “Josh Kroenke is due to answer questions from supporters at an Arsenal fan’s forum this afternoon”

    Should be “lively” !

  11. Arsenal have confirmed that Josh Kroenke WILL be attending the Fans’ Forum today – which has been rescheduled again to 4:30 (UK)

      1. Great start –

        “Welcome”.

        Hello and welcome to football.london’s coverage of the Arsenal fans forum which is set to feature Jose Kroenke.”

        Jose Kroenke – 🙂 🙂

  12. Josh K –

    “We asked ourselves, what is worse : ESL, or ESL without Arsenal? Also asked ourselves what do the fans want? The global fan wants AFC v Barca as often as possible. English fans want to see more big matches, but you still want your cold nights in Stoke. We got it wrong”

    No we don’t want Arsenal v Barca every 5 minutes – sod the “global fan”.

    And STOKE AREN’T IN OUR LEAGUE IN CASE YOU HADN’T NOTICED.

    This i gonna be carnage !

    1. My deepest wish is for Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke to f*** off and stop abusing Arsenal. They are profiteering liars and do not SUPPORT Arsenal like the many supporters who have spent their time, emotions and money investing all their hopes and wishes on this great amongst football clubs. Do not brown nose these parasites for even one moment. The only good they can do is by leaving our club. Josh Kroenke, Stan Kroenke……….you are not welcome here, nor ever will be.

      1. Balogan over Nketiah any day. I’d love to see Martinelli and Balogan both start. It would protect others with the Semi-Final so close.

    2. We hear from the “organ grinder’s monkey”, so when do we hear from the “organ grinder” himself, Stan Kroenke?
      He always has someone else to take the heat and be under the gun on his behalf.
      I am a “global fan”, who hasn’t been asked what I want. I certainly don’t want a closed shop, where Arsenal plays Barcelona and other so called “top class” teams in glorified friendlies. Give me games with teams on merit, with promotion and relegation, even if that means Arsenal has to play Stoke City on cold wet Tuesday night.

  13. ,.,…………………..Leno.,……………………
    Chambers Holding Mari Gabriel
    ,………………Ceballos Partey……………….
    Pepe …..Emile Smith …Martinelli
    ……..,……………..Balogun……………………….
    Sub’s: Cedric Bellerin, Xhaka Elneny, Saka, Willian, Nketiah.
    Dhaka should be rested 4 the UEL. He shouldn’t be injured.

  14. Chris Wheatley ;

    ” Well that was certainly eventful…

    Josh Kroenke really felt the full force of the Arsenal fans there who did not let him or KSE off the hook for their actions over the past few days.

    There has been a mixed reaction from those in the meeting of how well he did.

    Some are saying that he came over as genuinely apologetic for the Super League fiasco but the overwhelming sentiment seems to be that trust bonds have been broken (if they ever existed before). The ‘cold nights in Stoke’ comment will have done little to help that.

    Kroenke knows there is a lot to be done but he has insisted that he still has no intention of selling Arsenal football club.”

  15. I like the lineup but the comments about Saka intrigued me. Maybe he should have a break and if Martinelli is on the left he gets a full game and I would like to see Balogun play a whole game.

    If he doesn’t work, Nketiah could come on or shift to the original suggestion.

    Chambers is good in the air and if Pepe is given clear orders to mark back his pace can help. Bellerin can have good games so I am stuck on that spot…

  16. arteta will start elneny to partner partey and nketiah as CF. he will probalby play mari and chamber as FB

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