After two defeats on the bounce, Arsenal look to respond and secure their position at the top of Group B in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they host Sevilla. Last Word on Football predicts how the Gunners will line up with Mikel Arteta’s side hit with a flurry of injuries.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
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How Arsenal Have Lined Up Recently
Arsenal never looked like troubling Newcastle’s goal on Saturday night in their 1-0 defeat, but issues arose defensively as well at St James’ Park. Not least in goal with David Raya once again looking shaky having not settled at all in North London. Arteta’s confidence in the Spaniard however seems to be staying strong with Raya continuing to be favoured over Aaron Ramsdale.
Across the back four, the Gunners opted to start Takehiro Tomiyasu over Oleksandr Zinchenko but what they gained in defensive solidity they certainly lost in control and line-breaking passing.
Once again in midfield Arsenal opted for two holding midfielders in Declan Rice and Jorginho with Kai Havertz playing just in front of them. Arteta’s undying faith in the German is somewhat costing the Gunners at the moment although losing 1-0 at St James’ Park is by no means a reason to panic and doubt the manager’s decisions.
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In attack, Bukayo Saka was getting some change out of Dan Burn in the first half but after the left-back was replaced at half-time, Arsenal’s star boy failed to make an impact. Any half chances the North London side did create seemed to fall to Eddie Nketiah who looked wasteful as he did against West Ham in the EFL Cup. Gabriel Martinelli completed the starting lineup ahead of Leandro Trossard.
Changes We May See
With Raya remaining in goal Zinchenko is likely to come back into the starting lineup and reclaim the left-back spot. With Tomiyasu moving across to right back, Saliba and Gabriel will likely operate at centre back.
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In midfield, Martin Odergaard has missed the past three matches and has not trained in preparation for the arrival of the Spanish side. Havertz will likely continue in midfield alongside Rice but there could be an opportunity for Fabio Vieira to play himself into form in place of veteran Jorginho who has played a lot of minutes of late.
More injury concerns arise for Arteta’s side upfront with Nketiah joining Gabriel Jesus in the medical department at London Colney in anticipation for this tie. Trossard may be used as a number nine with few obvious alternatives for Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Recent Form and Tactics
In their last Champions League outing at Sevilla two weeks ago, the Gunners looked at their electric best mainly thanks to an inspired performance from Jesus who scored both goals in their 2-1 victory.
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The Brazilian’s buzz and creativity has been missed in the prior two matches but since arriving in January, Trossard has consistently chipped in with goal contributions with a goal and an assist in the Champions League already this season. Tactically, Arsenal fans will likely be hoping that their side plays with two number 8s in front of Declan Rice to create more in attack as opposed to the two holding midfielders we have seen of late.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
As well as the long-term injury suffered by Jurrien Timber at the beginning of the season, a number of big names have joined the Dutchman on the injury list of late. Thomas Partey and Emile Smith-Rowe are confirmed absent at least until the next international break but additionally do not expect club captain Odergaard or ‘“top level” striker Nketiah to feature on Wednesday night having not trained.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Havertz, Vieira, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
