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

Midfield Three

We have such a wealth of options here, none of which are necessarily bad options. And we’ve seen all of those options play in the first two matches alone and, as expected, there really isn’t a wrong way to deploy them, but there is a best way.

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There’s a very specific need in this midfield for balance. I know everyone fell in love with the frantic midfield against Burnley, but that won’t work against Liverpool. One misstep against Burnley wasn’t detrimental, but missteps against Liverpool can and will be. So with that in mind, it’s crucial to bring out that dynamic pairing of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira, who formed such a solid foundation for midfield domination last year. Let Torreira wreck and let Xhaka redistribute, it’s a flawless formula.

And then you put Dani Ceballos in there. Doesn’t matter if he’s a No. 10 or on either side of Torreira or Xhaka, he’s going to have freedom to move around, as the other two are, and he will use that freedom as he did against Burnley, to deadly effect.

In these three there is versatility, there is balance, and there is still experience enough that it’s not like a bunch of wild cards. I love Guendouzi and Willock, but I’m not sure how they’d stack up in this one, and thus have to believe that, same as the defense, Emery will opt for his more proven products.

Finally, that front three.