Arsenal vs Liverpool predicted XI: Nothing to lose, right?

Midfield

Maybe this is where the fire started. Granit Xhaka‘s rage at home match-goers was a bit of a disturbing occurrence brought on almost entirely thanks to awful people (that doesn’t include Granit Xhaka, who is not an awful person).

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Regardless, Unai Emery now has to start figuring out then best way to move this midfield forward. Xhaka had never played a midweek match this season and I’d be surprised to see him start here, so expect more of what we’ve seen in previous weeks—Dani Ceballos and Lucas Torreira at the base and Joe Willock floating in and out of the No. 10 spot to vary the formation between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2.

Ceballos is probably our best hope here. Torreira was visibly affected by the treatment of Xhaka and he was already shaky, so I have a hard time thinking that he will bounce back strong enough to make a case for his continues use. And while Willock looks incredibly talented, he hasn’t found much consistency in his time on the pitch.

Despite getting some consistent starts, Willock has been subbed off at half all-too-frequently lately. He needs to snap back, but if he doesn’t, expect another early withdrawal.

Finally, the front three.