Liverpool vs Arsenal: Predicted Lineup Ahead of Carabao Cup Clash

Wing-Backs & Midfielders

Cedric Soares (RWB) – Back from injury and straight into the lineup, Cedric is well aware of his role at Arsenal. He’s not going to challenge Hector Bellerin for a starting berth and will be more than happy to take up his slot as cup and early European stage defender. Decent enough backup.

Joe Willock (CM) – Has a point to prove on Thursday. With Willock, I get the feeling he doesn’t know what his best role is, just as much as us fans. One thing he certainly does boast is confidence, however.

Even in matches where he doesn’t play well, there is still a willingness to try a complicated pass or surge forward with the ball. It might do him good to simplify his game, be less risky on the ball, without sacrificing progression, and ease his way into matches where he can begin to express himself more.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – I was tempted to suggest that Maitland-Niles moves into midfield for this one, but that’s perhaps too big of a risk. Dani Ceballos only made the bench on Monday, but his presence will be needed from the start against the Blades, so Elneny should come in from the start alongside Willock as they did at Leicester.

https://twitter.com/PainInThArsenal/status/1309254192415023104

A solid squad option that’s never going to set pulses racing, it’s a pleasant feeling to have a backup midfielder who can do well enough when called upon.

Bukayo Saka (LWB) – One of our brightest sparks. What’s telling with Saka, is that even when he doesn’t have his best game, he can still come up with the moments that Arsenal so desperately crave. Against West Ham he wasn’t great, but two individual pieces of brilliance set up both goals. Few players in the squad can break through the lines like Saka.

When he tucks into the inside left channel and allows the wing-back to overlap, we can see his guile come to the fore. Against Liverpool’s three-man midfield he might get even more joy than against the Foxes.