Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will welcome Liverpool to The Emirates later tonight in what is an extremely important game for both sides. Arsenal will be looking at the game as a must win if they want to keep competing for the title and not fall too far behind the league leaders.
With almost everyone available for selection I expect Arteta to bring out his strongest possible squad and he will need them all to be at their best if they want to win against a Liverpool team that’s been almost unstoppable this season. Here’s how I expect Arteta to line his squad up for this massive match.
In goal, David Raya, I don’t think that’s even a question at this point of the season, Raya has been Arteta’s number one choice between the sticks and as of lately he looks to have really come into good form. He looks a lot more comfortable than he did at the start of the season. Raya will need to be at his best as Liverpool have plenty of threat up front and will try to test Raya as must as they can.
In defence I expect a back four of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko. With Tomiyasu away with his country the left back role lands on Zinchenko. Although he had some what of a rocky game against Forest, he has been much better recently and hopefully he can put on a good performance tonight. Gabriel and Saliba will be at the back like normal, both creating a great partnership and will be hoping they can stay solid and keep a clean sheet.
In the middle, I expect a three of Jorginho, Odegaard and Rice. Jorginho, I think needs to be starting in the middle, Liverpool have a very good midfield and most of the battle tonight will be in the middle, with Jorginho able to drop a bit deeper and cover the back spaces, I think he’s the perfect guy for this match. Rice has been unreal since joining the club and will have to be at his best tonight, he shows a lot of compose and that’s something we will be screaming out for. And Odegaard has come into some good form too recently and hopefully he can get some good shots of and link up well with the attackers.
In attack, I expect a front three of Saka, Jesus and Martinelli. Jesus had reportedly had a niggle with his knee, but I think if he is fit enough, he starts 100%. He looked dangerous against Forest and finally looked back in the swing of things, hopefully he’s fit and able to play because we need him tonight. Saka and Martinelli on the wings bringing the pace, Saka scoring in our last match will hopefully give him the confidence he needs going into this big match.
So that’s a 4-3-3 formation of
Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Zinchenko
Odegaard – Jorginho – Rice
Saka – Jesus – Martinelli
What’s your thoughts Gooners? Is that the right line-up to beat Liverpool?
Daisy Mae
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Same team but the real unknown is the lcm role and depends on how we want to play.
Control the mid then jorginho
End to end type disjointed type game which players rushing the penalty box then havertz
Push liverpool hard in midfield and run at them then Esr
Zinchenko makes me really nervous against high quality attacking opponents like Liverpool
it is one thing looking good against Palace and Forest who had zero attacking intent, or even possession intent, as they parked 11 behind the ball in he all too familiar low block
just one mistake down his wing could cost us not just the match but our title tilt
if Tomy were back from Asia then…but he isn’t, Kiwior? I think I would give up a little creativity for a more resilient defence, but then that own goal under little pressure
not sure I trust him, and not sure Arteta does either
Kai Havertz will be back in the starting lineup no doubt about that last time out when he dropped out for Smith Rowe didn’t mean he will always be out for him so expect him to be back.
I agee 95% with your predicted line-up. I would however play Trossard instead of Martinelli.
Martinelli will give us added attacking options later on in the game.
Really depends how Arteta wants to approach the match.
The usual 10 starters
Raya
White. Saliba. Gabriel. Zinchenko
Odegaard. Rice. ?
Saka. Jesus. Martinelli
The ? Depends how Arteta wants to play.
ESR if he wants attacking on the front foot,
Havertz if he wants the typical, patient, slowly unlock their defense.
Jorginho if he goes defensive; control midfield and look to hit them on the counter.
Just my opinion so we will see later today.
That line up look almost perfect except for one important player not starting.
Am a nervous wreck with the Ukrainian in that left back role, the big German did played in that left back role on international duty.
A German international from a tender age, Havertz is a big game player, Arsenal got to find a way to play him in this fixture.
Jorginho and Ode is a very physically weak midfield, it will likely be ok if we dominate possession but if we don’t…..Jorginho is a huge liability when under pressure.
Id like to see the exact same line up as last game but with Ramsdale in goal. I think he’s a better shot stopper than Raya. Last game ESR looked dangerous in the first 45 but after 55 minutes started to get tired as you could see him stretching, bending down, etc. like he started to get cramp. ESR needs a run in the team to get his fitness up and he looks like he brings more bite to our attack than Havertz does, also ESR links up well with Zinchenko and Martinelli. Come on Arsenal, give us a 3-0 win please ♥️🤍
Liverpool has a very experienced team with very tall & physical defenders. Unless we match them in this we have no chance. I’ll go for a 433 formation with Martinelli on the bench to come in when legs are tired.
Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko
Odegaard Jorginho Rice
Saka Havertz G.Jesus
I think if Jorginho and Zinchenko start this game we will be overrun and lose quite heavily. Neither have enough physically about them and could be huge liabilities.
I’d prefer Kiwior at LB and Zinchenko in midfield if he were to play at all. Ideally, Partey would be fit to accompany Rice in midfield as we will need to physical presence.
If we intend to just keep the ball and bore them to death then play Trossard. If we actually want to win the game then Martinelli has to play. As someone else said, Kai is a big game player, so expect him to start ahead of ESR.
I go with your line-up 100%. The team picks itself actually.