Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Crystal Palace: Predicted starting XI – Mikel Arteta’s pecking order forms

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal battles for possession with Nemanja Matic of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

It was evident how much Arsenal struggled to progress the play from deep against Leeds United. There were several reasons for this, but one of the crucial absences was Ainsley Maitland-Niles at right-back, especially because it resulted in Sokratis shifting out to full-back and looking wholly uncomfortable.

After an extended break, Maitland-Niles will return at right-back, particularly with Hector Bellerin still nursing a strange hamstring strain that he suffered in the warm-up of the victory over West Ham United almost a month ago.

On the opposite flank, Sead Kolasinac has seemingly shaken off his injury problems and is now fully available for selection. With Bukayo Saka the only other option for Mikel Arteta to turn to, it would be very surprising to not see Kolasinac start.