Arsenal once again relinquished a 2-goal lead and ended up drawing 2-2 against Crystal Palace this weekend.
With their manager Unai Emery under intense pressure, the Gunners will clash against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Round of 16 fixture at Anfield.
Arsenal have appeared to be bereft of a comprehensive roadmap and it goes without saying that a victory over Jurgen Klopp’s men could boost their morale to a huge extent in these turbulent times.
Intriguingly, Emery is an advocate of rotating his squad and is expected to do the same against Liverpool. Therefore, a number of senior first-team players could be rested from the Arsenal lineup.
Arsenal Team News
Reiss Nelson is set to remain sidelined owing to a knee injury and is expected to return to full training in November. Apart from him, Emery has all his players available for selection.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Defence
First-choice custodian Bernd Leno is likely to be rested. Impliedly, Emiliano Martinez could get the nod to start in the Arsenal lineup.
Starts could be handed to Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac. Their industry and creative prowess could play an instrumental role during the game coming up against a hard-working and inventive Liverpool side.
Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi have fared well together in central defence in recent times and are expected to start together in the midweek fixture.
Arsenal’s backline have to be at their very best, considering that Liverpool’s attacking setup is incredibly potent and is unarguably one of the best in Europe.
Midfield
Due to the events that transpired over the weekend, Granit Xhaka is likely to be taken out of the equation for the upcoming outing.
In central midfield, Matteo Guendouzi could get the green light to start as his energy, willingness and drive will be beneficial for the north London based outfit this season.
Alongside the sensational French midfielder, Lucas Torreira might be given the chance to start to add steel and resilience into Arsenal’s midfield structure.
Mesut Ozil could be summoned to feature as the central attacking midfielder. The former German international has been on the fringes this season and it is about time Emery makes a call, which from the outside, looks like a potentially much-needed one.
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli bagged a brace against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the Carabao Cup and is seemingly likely to start up front once again.
While Nicolas Pepe could start on the right flank, Bukayo Saka is expected to be chalked on the opposite side to complete Arsenal’s attacking setup.
ARSENAL LINEUP
