Arsenal welcome reigning Premier League champions Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night with both sides wanting to save what has been a disappointing domestic campaign so far.
With the Gunners currently in the ninth and Jurgen Klopp’s side on the seventh, it is far from the top of the table as it may have been in previous years. But if Mikel Arteta were to win his fourth victory over Jurgen Klopp in five meetings, it would give his side a significant boost in their quest for a top-six finish.
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Here is 90 minutes watching the team that will start for Arsenal this weekend.
Cedric Soares has impressed Julian Finney / Getty Images in recent months
Bernd Leno (GK) – Arsenal’s number one has been criticized too late for his poor distribution, but it is clear that he is under instructions to play from the back and earns more than enough points for Arsenal with his shot stopping ability.
Cedric Soares (RB) – The Portuguese right-back received his first international call in three years after the disappearance of Hector Bellerin as the first choice, and is really the couple’s more form.
Rob Holding (CB) – The 33-year-old David Luiz would probably have started the game, but it was confirmed on Friday that the Brazilian suffers from discomfort in the knee. His replacement? Rob Holding, probably, as the right foot is preferable to enter.
Gabriel (CB) – Has struggled to rediscover his early season form after recovering from COVID-19, but has in recent weeks looked back on his best. His pace towards a fast Liverpool front line makes him the best option to work with Luiz.
Kieran Tierney (LB) – Apart from the fact that the Gunners currently do not have another natural left back in their group, Tierney is the key to everything they do in both an attack and a defensive sense. He has been one of the leading artists this season and when he is in shape he should play.
Martin Odegaard’s future at Arsenal is still unclear Dan Mullan / Getty Images
Granit Xhaka (CM) – Shares the opinion among the club’s supporters but is clearly one of Arteta’s favorites. His positional discipline and ability to build games from deep areas has been crucial to the Gunners’ current 4-2-3-1 system balance.
Thomas Partey (CM) The signing of £ 45 million has formed a strong partnership with Granit Xhaka, although unfortunate injuries have prevented them from playing more together. He is the team’s excellent midfielder when he is in shape and shooting.
Martin Odegaard (AM) – The Norwegian has added another dimension to Arsenal’s attack since he arrived and pushes well from the front. Emile Smith Rowe is a fitness doubter, but regardless, Odegaard deserves to start in the central position.
Nicolas Pepe has shown improvements in recent months Pool / Getty Images
Nicolas Pepe (RW) Bukayo Saka has made the right-wing position his own in recent months, but when he spoke on Thursday, Arteta confirmed that he had not yet trained with the team. Pepe’s form has improved in the second half of the season and could cause Liverpool’s defense problems.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (LW) – Regardless of his up and down form this season, Aubameyang is in many eyes still Arsenal’s most potent goal threat. The Gabonese striker is the perfect man to reveal the space left by Liverpool’s forward-looking right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – He is Arsenal’s best goal scorer in the Premier League this season but gives the team so much more than just that. The way he connects games and his ability to lead the press means that he should start against the reigning champions.
