Arsenal vs Liverpool: Predicted Starting XI & Tactics

Wing-Backs

One of these picks is easy, the other, not so much.

Hector Bellerin will start at right wing-back. He’s the best we have on offer, and he’ll put in a shift for the team. He got a good run of form in towards the end of the season, and is starting to shake off the rustiness. Cedric Soares, despite his newly penned deal, is still second fiddle for the time being.

And Ainsley Maitland-Niles is nowhere near contention for the right-sided role….because he’ll be playing at left wing-back. I considered Bukayo Saka, but Arteta sees him as an attack-minded player, and the Spaniard trusted Maitland-Niles repeatedly towards the tail end of the season. Links to Wolves be damned, Maitland-Niles will start.

Both wing-backs will play a crucial role in this tie, mainly because of the prevalence of the Liverpool full-backs. They’re going to have their hands chock-full on the flanks, but as we know, they can handle it and come out grinning.