League leaders Arsenal take on second-place Liverpool at Anfield in the evening kick-off on Saturday. Last Word on Football predicts the Gunners to start the same side which comfortably beat Brighton 2-0 last time out.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool in Top of the Table Clash
How Arsenal Have Lined Up Recently
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Mikel Arteta’s side returned to winning ways last time out at The Emirates sweeping Brighton aside having gone winless in the two matches before. David Raya started that match in goal and will likely be the goalkeeper of choice in the stellar clash this Saturday which will no doubt have implications for who finishes top come May.
The North London side’s back four has not been the subject of change since the injury to Takehiro Tomiyasu who is expected to be unavailable until Liverpool visit Arsenal in the FA Cup early next year. Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been outstanding all season after their maiden year together in the previous campaign.
The Gunners dominated the Reds for the first 30 minutes in this fixture last season going 2-0 ahead before a hot-headed Granit Xhaka got the Anfield crowd roaring and inspiring a fine comeback from Jurgen Klopp’s side. With the Swiss international having been moved on, fans can expect to see Kai Havertz and Declan Rice in midfield with Martin Odegaard. With the massive price tag, these occasions are exactly what Arteta signed Rice for and he will be hoping the England international gets them over the line this time out.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus are all down on their goals and assists by this time last season but that sums up the different emphasis Arteta is putting on his side this year. With defensive solidity, now is the time for that dangerous front three to find the rhythm that got Arsenal into title contention last season.
Changes We May See
Despite pulling off one of the saves of the season against Liverpool last season to secure the Gunners a point at Anfield, Aaron Ramsdale is unlikely to feature with Arteta prioritising Raya at least for the time being.
The only attacker with a real chance of changing the starting Arsenal side is Leandro Trossard. The versatile Belgium international has been exceptional since making the move to North London almost a year ago and his different style of play to that of Martinelli and Saka gives Arteta a different dimension in attack coming off the bench. Nevertheless, when Saka, Jesus, and Martinelli are fit they start and that will be the case notwithstanding the speculation of a January signing in the shape of a number nine.
Arsenal’s Recent Form And Tactics
No Arsenal fan will be complaining about what they have seen so far this season with them sitting top of the Premier and finishing top of their Champions League group as well. The win against Brighton ended a poor run at home to the Seagulls and the Gunners will be hoping to break their duck at Anfield too having not won their since 2012.
Injuries To Consider
The injury concerns facing Arsenal currently have helped install stability and consistency all over the pitch. Despite his strong start to the season, Tomiyasu’s current absence has allowed Zinchenko to come into his own at left back and impact games in possession. In midfield, the current injuries of Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira, and Emile Smith-Rowe have meant Havertz has flourished in the forced limelight and taken his opportunity.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
