Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool - Premier League
- Arsenal can reduce gap to Liverpool at top of Premier League table with win on Sunday
- Kai Havertz to take Emile Smith-Rowe's place in Gunners midfield
- Injured midfielder suffers setback in recovery
By Euan Burns
Arsenal are preparing their biggest match of the season so far as they host Premier League leaders Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta will be acutely aware his Gunners side may find it incredibly hard to win the Premier League title if they do not get all three points here, though recent omens have been good with two wins in a row since being eliminated from the FA Cup by their upcoming opponents.
A win for Liverpool would see them climb eight points above Arsenal, but the gap will only be two points if the Gunners prevail.
With all that in mind, here's the team Arteta will likely pick when Arsenal host Liverpool.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - Is under constant scrutiny thanks to the manner in which he became Arsenal's number one, so a big performance is needed in a game of this nature.
RB: Ben White - May not like football but surely even White can get up for a game like this, especially with such a potent Liverpool attack visiting north London.
CB: William Saliba - These are the games centre-backs get properly tested, even if Mohamed Salah is not involved. Saliba will be very happy if he can help secure a clean sheet.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - As the more physical of the two centre-backs, Gabriel may end up dealing more directly with the unpredictable Darwin Nunez. Who knows how it will end up.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - The Ukrainian's defensive capabilities will be tested a lot here, but he will also need to make sure he helps build attacks. It could be a long night if Zinchenko's not at his best.
CM: Martin Odegaard - One of the major creative forces in the team, Odegaard might be helped by the absence of a defensive midfielder like Wataru Endo in the Liverpool team.
CM: Declan Rice - Rice always covesr a serious number of yards in these game. There will be runners to track throughout and he has to be switched on.
CM: Kai Havertz - Emile Smith Rowe surprisingly started against Nottingham Forest, but given the need for a win, Havertz is expected to return full of energy to face Liverpool. Thomas Partey recently suffered a setback and won't feature in the squad.
RW: Bukayo Saka - His clinical finish was the clincher against Forest on Wednesday night and Saka will be trying to get among the goals again here.
ST: Gabriel Jesus - Another goalscorer from midweek, Jesus needs a big end to the season with plenty of goals. There is concern about his knee issue, but he's expected to start.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli - Was a threat throughout against Nottingham Forest and will need to be at his best here, particularly when Arsenal get a chance to break.
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