Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leeds: Who replaces Thomas Partey?

After a welcome eight day rest, Arsenal return to Premier League action for the first of five matches in the space of two weeks. The Gunners host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium and here is the predicted lineup.

Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta will be without two of his key men on Sunday afternoon with both Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney ruled out due to injury. However, Bernd Leno and David Luiz are set to return after the pair both served respective one-match suspensions.

The obvious talking point ahead of the game is who replaces Partey alongside Granit Xhaka. Either one of Dani Ceballos or Mohamed Elneny would be the obvious choice, but there is also potential for Arteta to tinker with his system and replace the Ghanaian with Martin Ødegaard, who is yet to make his first start for Arsenal.

Leeds come into this game off the back of an impressive victory against Crystal Palace on Monday night. After adopting something of a passive approach against Marcelo Bielsa’s all-energy side earlier in the season, whether or not Arteta opts for a more offensive outlook on Sunday will give Arsenal fans a good indicator of just how far the Spaniard thinks his side has progressed since November. Onto the lineup.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday – Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – Mat Ryan did his reputation no harm at Villa Park last week showing himself to be a more than adequate deputy for Bernd Leno, but the German No. 1 should certainly return to the starting XI tomorrow. His handball against Wolves was one of very few mistakes he has made this season and is not something that he deserves to lose his place over.

Hector Bellerìn (RB) – Genuine debate had sparked prior to the Aston Villa match over who should start at right-back if Kieran Tierney were to be fit enough to start on the opposite side of defence, but said debate was quashed after Çedric’s horrible match-defining mistake soon after the first whistle blew. Bellerìn keeps his place as first-choice right-back.

Rob Holding (CB) – 25-year-old Rob Holding was another man at fault for Villa’s opener last Saturday, guilty of not being tight enough to Ollie Watkins. However, like Leno, the Englishman has made very few mistakes this season and should retain his spot at the back on Sunday.

Gabriel (CB) – Alongside Holding, Gabriel appeared to be regaining sharpness against Aston Villa last week after a shaky outing against Southampton in the FA Cup. It’s important for him to keep his place and work on getting back to his best heading into what could be a season-defining period for Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka (LB) – Çedric hasn’t been especially bad at left-back, but he does inhibit Arsenal’s attacking fluidity on the left-hand-side. As such, Bukayo Saka should move back to left-back which should add a bit more balance to Mikel Arteta’s attack.