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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Slavia Prague: Bukayo Saka at left-back?

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (R) celebrates with teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after scoring their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (R) celebrates with teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after scoring their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Granit Xhaka
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – Again, supporters were witness to flashes of what Thomas Partey could do against the Reds as he was tasked with being the sole press evader whose job it was to feed Aubameyang in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold as quickly as possible. Against such domineering players like Thiago and Fabinho it became impossible, and the touches of class on the ball made way for carelessness, as it did with everyone.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – If bedridden and stuffed full of man flu, Xhaka would still start this match. Arsenal are an unstable mess without him, which does not entail that one believes the Swiss is the answer to Arsenal’s problems. The two are not mutually exclusive.

The dynamic that Partey and Xhaka make on the angle was non-existent with Dani Ceballos in place of the 28-year-old as, despite being far from perfect, the first choice pair at least understand each other’s positions on the pitch in certain phases. Together they add brains in the foundation, even if the execution is not always as meticulous.

Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – The one player who escaped criticism from the previous outing was Martin Odegaard, who will be out of the firing line here due to his knock sustained during the international break.

Fortunately for Arsenal, who rushed another player back from injury, Odegaard’s expected absence coincides with Emile Smith Rowe returning from a hip issues. Thankfully.

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