Arsenal will face Norwich City in Matchday 4 in what will be a hugely significant match for Mike Arteta. The two sides are occupying the last two slots in the Premier League table but are expected to be far apart by the season end if normal service resumes at the Emirates Stadium.
But there is the big ‘if’ and that is something Arteta has to find a way past. With the Gunners in shambles before the international break, the pause in action seems to have come at the right time for the north Londoners.
The manager has got a number of bodies back to full fitness over the course of two weeks but there have also been a couple of knocks which could see a couple of key players miss out today.
TEAM NEWS
Mohamed Elneny will be out for 2-3 weeks while Granit Xhaka is suspended due to the red card he received against Manchester City. Emile Smith Rowe is suffering from an illness and might not be ready to feature today while Sead Kolasinac is one of the doubts heading into the match.
Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel and Ben White have been passed fit for the match while Takehiro Tomiyasu has been granted work permit and is available for selection.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP VS NORWICH CITY (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
There has been intense speculation in the media regarding the goalkeeping dynamics in the team leading up to this match.
While it may surprise a few, Aaron Ramsdale could actually be handed a start in the Arsenal lineup ahead of Bernd Leno.
At right-back, Arteta has a number of options in Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers and new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu. Even though the Japanese international has only had a couple of training sessions, he has been a priority signing for a troubled position and is unlikely to be kept out of action despite being fit.
A home game against Norwich City seems like a good opportunity to make one’s debut.
Ben White and Gabriel are clearly the first-choice centre-backs and Arteta is likely to hand them starts in the Arsenal lineup.
Kieran Tierney will be the left-back.
MIDFIELD
With Elneny injured and Xhaka banned, Arteta will get a chance to select what many feel should be the midfield pairing in the long-term.
Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey are expected to bring energy and vigour to an area which has been a problem area for a long time for the Gunners.
Emile Smith Rowe’s potential absence will see Martin Odegaard further forward in the no.10 role in the Arsenal lineup.
ATTACK
Another serial underperformer Nicolas Pepe is likely to be handed another opportunity with the club’s record-signing set to start on the right-wing.
The versatile Bukayo Saka, fresh from a productive international break, should start on the left in the Arsenal lineup.
Alexandre Lacazette will be hoping to get a chance ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang one of these days but the Gabonese is expected to lead the Arsenal lineup today.
