My predicted line up vs Liverpool in the FA Cup
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will welcome the league leaders Liverpool tonight in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, a game that’s set to be full of action and one to watch. With both squads suffering from injuries and absentees for AFCON and The Asian Cup, both managers will be without some key players, but I don’t expect too much squad rotation as both managers will know the danger each other can cause. Here’s how I predict Arteta will line his squad up.
In goal, I think Ramsdale should get a shot between the sticks, I know it’s a big game and Arteta hasn’t looked like he’s had much trust in Ramsdale, but I do think he can do a job tonight. But again, it is very likely that Arteta will pick to stay with Raya but because it’s a cup game I’m expecting the change.
I expect a back four of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko in defence. I’ve gone with Zinchenko even though I know he’s been nursing an injury, but with Tomiyasu gone at the Asian Cup, there aren’t really that many options for Arteta to choose from, we could see Kiwior come out at LB again if Zinchenko is fit enough, I think he starts. Gabriel and Saliba at the back will be itching to get back to form in tonight’s big game to prove themselves.
In the midfield, I expect a three of Jorginho, Rice and Odegaard. Our midfield got run through too easily last week and against Liverpool, I feel like we need more of a solid base, that’s why I expect Jorginho and Rice to start close to each other, locking down that avenue into the midfield that Liverpool is so good at getting through. I’d put Odegaard just ahead of them to create things for the forwards but I could also see Havertz getting a shout for the same reason.
In attack, I expect a front three of Saka, Jesus and Trossard. Martinelli hasn’t been good enough recently and I think Trossard came on against Liverpool and had a decent cameo in the second half and will create a bit more for Jesus in the middle. Saka needs to be on form and aware, Liverpool targeted him a bit in the last game and after the coming together with Tsimikas, I feel like Liverpool will be man-marking him the whole game. In the centre, I think Jesus comes back into the starting lineup and hopefully can find his shooting boots.
So a formation of 4-3-3
Ramsdale
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Zinchenko
Jorginho – Odegaard – Rice
Saka – Jesus – Trossard
What are your thoughts Gooners? How do you expect Arteta to line up tonight?
Daisy Mae
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I heard Zinchenko and Jesus are unfit. Arteta might want to escape from Liverpool’s high-press, using Havertz’s and Rice’s aerial abilities to receive Ramsdale’s long goal-kick:
…….………….……. Ramsdale
………. White .… Saliba …. Magalhaes
………….. Jorginho …. Kiwior
Saka . Odegaard . Rice . Martinelli
…………………………. Havertz
Yes, Jesus needs a late fitness test on his knee but I doubt MA will risk him anyway. Zinchenko would get the run around against against Liverpool so I wouldn’t feel great to see him start anyway. His injury might be a blessing. He’s much more suited further up. Your selection/formation looks good to me, gotanidea!
Thanks bro
I would prefer Rice in central midfield while ESR plays in Xhaka”s position and Havertz plays as a false 9. But like I said Arteta is unpredictable. We “ll see.
It could also work
OK we do it see for example Liverpool: why do the referees give so few fouls against them when they tackle? but the rest of the media ignore it. Instead, a lot of them take a lot of note of the most hypothetical of all statistics: expected goals . That is not goals that happen, but goals that you might expect to happen.
usa.
@gai
Very interesting lineup gai. I like the look of it. What about Saka and Martinelli changing sides to add to the danger…Jus sayin
Saka and Martinelli could play conventional wingers if Havertz and Rice could convert the long crosses into goals
Unfortunately, Liverpool have towering CBs to anticipate that kind of tactic, namely the big Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez and Matip
@gai
Gotcha…👍🏾
If Jesus is injured AGAIN then it’s time to off load him as he has become a liability to the club. Ramsdale has to play or he must leave to get some game time but I’m running out of patience with the vendetta Arteta seems to have with certain players
Zinchenko and Jesus both apparently carrying injuries so it’s Kiwior at left back for me with Nketiah at CF, otherwise unchanged.
Jesus out with knee injury, YET AGAIN
Not sure he ever fully recovered from his first one. He’s only shown flashes of the brilliance he displayed in the first part of last season before the world cup debacle.
I would play Jorginho in midfield and Havertz up front.
Havertz cannot be any worse than Jesus or Nketiah surely?
I tend to agree
Ramsdale
White
Saliba
Magalhaes
Kiwior
Jorginho
Rice
ESR
Martinelli
Havertz
Saka
@Ken1945,this is a good team.How I wish Jesus could be fit and replace Martinelli on the Left to add some physicality.
I agree that Martinelli needs a rest Cliff, but switching wings might just spark him up again.
I also would like to see Jesus out on the wing in future fixtures, as that would give both Martinelli and Saka some rest.
Havertz versus Van Dyke. intrigies me, as I think the latter has reached his peak, while Hacertz seems to have found his pre chelsea form.
In Arsenal today’s FA Cup 3rd RD home match against Liverpool. WHatever be the Gunners starting XI team that Arteta will field for the match. I will advice him to allow the Gunners to play with freedom in the match expressing themselves freely in the match.
To the level that will see them massively attacking and defending in the game. In a mass attack and mass defending tactical ploy form.
Which I think and believe if the Gunners play to it in the game, will see them over raw the Reds completely causing havoc to them. Even to an extend of walloping the Reds with many goals scored against them in the match at full-time.
Saka at left back, martinelli right wing with Smith-Rowe or Trossard on the left wing. I know that sounds confusing but what the hell.
What is happening to The Arsenal is deliberate Arteta is taking us nowhere fast Harvest is not a players