Predicted Arsenal XI to face Liverpool in the Premier League
Arsenal face their toughest test of the season when they visit Anfield to take on the mighty Liverpool. Both teams have two wins from their first two games. Arsenal had to edge past West Ham last time around while Liverpool dispatched Chelsea with relative ease.
This clash promises fireworks, with two in-form teams going at each other. Arsenal will be upbeat about their chances as they won the Community Shield against Liverpool in the season opener. However, Anfield could be a whole different challenge.
Team News
Arsenal still have a few injuries to deal with in all areas of the pitch. Shkodran Mustafi and Pablo Mari are slowly edging towards fitness. Matteo Guendouzi is injured but is unlikely to make the squad anyway after being frozen out.
Mesut Ozil is also another name who is out for an unknown period of time, while Gabriel Martinelli is still nursing a long-term injury. Not a lot of changes can be expected from last weekend, as Arteta seems to have found a good winning formula.
Probable Arsenal XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Bernd Leno (GK)
Leno is expected to start ahead of new recruit Alex Runarsson, who joined from Dijon FC.
Kieran Tierney (CB)
Tierney is likely to continue as a left-sided centre-back unless there is a change of formation. Throwing in William Saliba into such a crunch game might not be the best idea.
David Luiz (CB)
The veteran defender will be expected to start ahead of Rob Holding in such an important game.
Gabriel Magalhaes (CB)
Gabriel will look to build on his good start to the season but could shift to the right-hand side to accommodate David Luiz in the middle.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (LM/LWB)
Maitland-Niles is getting used to playing in an unfamiliar position and is yet to disappoint his manager.
Dani Ceballos (CM)
There is no doubt about Ceballos starting the game unless there is an unforeseen injury.
Granit Xhaka (CM)
Xhaka looks well settled under Arteta and will continue to play the holding midfield role.
Hector Bellerin (RM/RWB)
Bellerin is a much better fit at wing-back than at full-back. He will look to provide width from the right-hand side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (LW)
Even though he did not get on the scoresheet in the last game, Aubameyang remains Arsenal’s chief threat in the attack.
Alexandre Lacazette (ST)
If someone scores two goals in two games, you’d be rather unwise to remove them from the teamsheet. Lacazette is in red hot form after his opening strikes against Fulham and West Ham.
Willian (RW)
Willian’s experience in big games such as this means that he continues on the right ahead of Nicolas Pepe.
