Mikel Arteta has the luxury of making wholesale changes to Arsenal’s starting line-up, even with an injury crisis.
Mikel Arteta could make eight changes to Arsenal’s starting line-up this weekend. The Gunners lock horns with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon as they look to make another mark in the early stages of the Premier League title race.
Arsenal suffered the biggest upset in recent English football history on Tuesday night, losing to Fleetwood Town in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, so they will be determined to get back to winning ways. The following evening, Andoni Iraola’s team secured a place in the 1/4 finals by overcoming Chelsea.
While the Gunners have plenty of travel ahead of them, they will have an extra 24 hours’ rest against their opponents, returning from Blackpool before returning to Merseyside. Speaking to reporters this week, Arteta apologized to the away faithful and said he would try to reach them against Liverpool.
“Now we have to take it on the chin,” said the Spaniard. “We are out of contention, we are very sad for all the people who came to watch the game – I wanted to give them a win. Now we have to recover and get ready for Anfield.”
Make sure you never miss the latest Arsenal news and opinion by making Football London one of Google’s preferred sources.
Arteta added: “They are always with us. That’s for sure, after the game they showed their appreciation to the team and we will try to make them very happy against Liverpool.”
So, with that being said, football.london “Arsenal” has chosen the starting team to face “Liverpool”.
One of four changes to Raya’s Arsenal defence
Unlike Kepa Arrizabalaga, Illan Meslier wasn’t entirely to blame for the Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Fleetwood Town, but the gulf in quality was still clear to see on Tuesday night. Barring injury or suspension, David Raya should remain between the sticks for the foreseeable future regardless of competition or opponent.
When Arteta keeps injury news short or close to his chest, he’s usually bluffing, but leaving Riccardo Calafiori in the dark for so long doesn’t look good on paper. So, in addition to the customary change in the back line, Piero Hincapie was able to keep his place at left-back.
Midfield resumes
Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly should of course resume their duties in the middle of the park, given the former is fit. Otherwise, Bruno Guimaraes should join the Hale End graduate in a double turn, playing just 10 minutes or so on Tuesday night; he is a tough professional so the penalty kick will not affect his performance under the lights at Anfield.
Gyokeres returns to the bench
Kai Havertz has had a slow start to the season, but he usually enjoys the big event, and a marquee fixture could be just what he needs to reignite his fire. Victor Gyokeres has done well recently, but his counterpart offers more, even if he is off the pace.
Havertz will lead the press, extend the backline, hold the ball up and link play. Under Iraola, Liverpool still press incredibly high up the pitch, so Arteta will at least need someone who can fend off Virgil van Dijk and keep the ball under pressure, or make a smart shot to break the game open.
As for the wideout options, Noni Madueke will probably recover in time. If he is indeed injured, Mikel Merino could push either Havertz or Gyokeres on the right wing and Eberechi Eze on the left.
Arteta makes EIGHT changes
In total, Arteta can make eight changes. If a few big names don’t suddenly recover from injury, there could be a few more! Overall, it feels like the Spaniard has to push a few square pegs into round holes, which doesn’t bode well.
But as long as Arteta can put together a strong backline, a solid double pivot and some hard-working wingers, Arsenal will always have a chance to win, even against the Premier League’s most expensive frontline…
The starting line-up of “Arsenal” against “Liverpool”: David Raya; Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ezri Konsa, Ben White; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke; Kai Havertz.