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Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Everton: Persist With Back Three?

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Dani Ceballos after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Peter Cziborra - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Dani Ceballos after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Peter Cziborra - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Maitland-Niles, Arsenal
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) watches as Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Photo by PETER CZIBORRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Midfielders & Wing-Backs

Hector Bellerin (RWB) – Straight back in. Arteta values Hector Bellerin for his contributions in the final third, as well as tucking in to midfield, with him being reinstated the expected decision. Furthermore, opting for a back three will reduce the defensive workload on the full-back, who’s been guilty of weak defending in transition.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – Had a bit of a stinker against Southampton, and while he did improve slightly after the break, his overall display was a big drop off from the form he’d shown in the opening stages of the season.

However, without Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka there are no other options to playing the holding role, thus Elneny will need to actually turn up this time.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – Can we have less of the pathetic dives in the box, please? He’s clearly desperate for a positive result, but nobody enjoys resorting to such measures.

Away from the negatives, Dani Ceballos was one of Arsenal’s better (that says little) players against the Saints, with some positive passing through the lines that had been sorely missed all season. Still guilty of other errors, enhancing the former and eliminating the carelessness would be greatly appreciated at Goodison Park. Can’t see Arteta playing Willock in this one.

Ainsley Maitland Niles (LWB) – I can see Arteta changing things up on Merseyside. Fully aware of the threat that Richarlison poses, and maybe even Alex Iwobi who is in decent form, he’ll want adequate protection in wide areas. Given Maitland-Niles is the more defensively disciplined of the left wing-back options, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him switch flanks for Saturday.

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