Arsenal vs Liverpool: Predicted starting XI: The debut we’ve waited for

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, David Luiz
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Centerbacks

While I was hugely disgruntled by Unai Emery’s decision to bench Calum Chambers against Burnley (and vindicated, if I do say so…) I don’t see the change reverting back here. As much as I want to see Chambers clamp down that role and run away with it, until this defense has a better foundation of success, Emery will probably opt with experience.

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Both Sokratis and David Luiz, while coming to the Emirates a bit past their prime, boast significant experience, and the kind of experience that you love to turn to for matches such as this, where the No. 1 thing we need to see is consistency and intelligence.

There’s no room for error against Liverpool. We should all know that by now. So the more these defenders can understand that fact, the better, and I have to say that in this case, I do hope that Chambers keeps his seat, not because I don’t think he could handle it, but because it’s best to just stick with the experience since we’ve already broken from the Week 1 centerbacks.

And, honestly, at the end of the day it might come more down to the fullbacks ability to limit the width of the attack, so with that, let’s transition into who the starting fullbacks figure to be.