Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Premier League returns

By Ross Kennerley

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) and Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta gesture on the touchline after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 15, 2020. - Arsenal won the game 2-1. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) and Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta gesture on the touchline after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 15, 2020. - Arsenal won the game 2-1. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Granit Xhaka
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal celebrates victory with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal following the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – While there were key players featuring heavily for their national sides, Thomas Partey only played 90 minutes for Ghana in their 3-1 win over Sao Tome and Principe, leaving him with plenty of time to build his fitness, which he sorely needs.

Arsenal haven’t seen it yet, but the true colours of Partey’s skillset were best on show in the second half of the draw with West Ham, where he and Odegaard took control of proceedings and bossed the game.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – The Swiss captain could give the Duracell bunny a run for his money. Now preparing for his 196th match in 12 days, Xhaka will surely feature once more when the champions come to town.

Arteta knows – as should everyone else – that without the 28-year-old in the side Arsenal struggle for control with matches on even terms, and while he brings baggage, it’s more like hand luggage as opposed to the previous 24kg holding suitcase he used to come attached with.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – A clean sweep of starts for Odegaard with Norway was far from ideal from an Arsenal perspective, even if he only completed the 90 minutes once during that spell.

With Emile Smith Rowe touch and go for this clash, the creative duties will rest on Odegaard’s shoulders, a role he thrives on. And speaking of shoulders, he’ll be brushing his with none other than Thiago Alcantara. The two will be a joy to watch (for neutrals).

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