Arsenal will look to strengthen their grip at the top of Group B when they take on Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners beat Sevilla 2-1 in Spain a fortnight ago and will aim to replicate the performance in the return battle. However, their unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end in controversial circumstances on Saturday following a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park, while the north London side also got dumped out of the Carabao Cup by West Ham United last week.
Mikel Arteta will want his team to immediately bounce back to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats, but they must expect a tough test against a Sevilla side looking for revenge in north London.
Arsenal Team News
Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey are out for the Gunners, while Jurrien Timber is a long-term absentee.
Martin Odegaard failed a late fitness test against Newcastle and missed out, although his hip injury is not thought to be serious ahead of a potential return this week. The Norwegian playmaker is expected to return to the squad against Sevilla, but it is still unclear if he will start.
Goalkeeper
David Raya should keep his place in Arsenal’s goal against Sevilla. He will need to be at his best to keep a clean sheet in midweek.
Defence
Mikel Arteta is expected to stick with the same backline that started in the defeat to Newcastle, meaning Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu all start here in the Arsenal lineup.
White and Tomiyasu will look to provide width and energy from the full-back positions but the duo must also provide help to the centre-back pairing of Saliba and Gabriel when required.
Oleksandr Zinchenko came off the bench in the second half against Newcastle and will again have to be content with a role among the substitutes.
Midfield
Due to his athleticism, energy and physicality, Declan Rice could be used in a No.6 role against Sevilla in the Arsenal lineup, with Jorginho dropping out from the first XI.
Despite Kai Havertz putting in a disappointing performance at Newcastle, he is expected to retain his spot in midfield. Arteta could hand Fabio Vieira a rare start in a bid to give the midfield more dynamism and creativity.
Mohammed Elneny and Jorginho could be brought on late in the game if Arteta intends to pack his midfield.
Attack
Eddie Nketiah’s two anonymous showings following his maiden Premier League hat-trick means his place in the team is under threat, but Arteta is expected to stick with the Englishman up top in the Arsenal lineup.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli must provide flair, creativity and width from the flanks and combine well with Nketiah in the final third.
Leandro Trossard will be raring to make an impact if given an opportunity off the bench.
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