Arsenal predicted lineup vs Norwich: 4-2-3-1 with Tomiyasu?

After a welcome yet arduous break from Premier League football Arsenal are back in action as they face Norwich on Saturday. It’s a game neatly filed under the must-win category. Here is the predicted lineup.

One transfer window down and six new arrivals later, Mikel Arteta has the luxury of being able to select any number of his summer acquisitions against the side sitting one place above them in the Premier League table.

There is return from injury for Eddie Nketiah in attack but all eyes are fixated elsewhere. For the first time this season, Thomas Partey is available for selection.

A player with the potential to have a transformative impact on this team, the Ghanaian’s return is most welcome of all. However, given he hasn’t kicked a ball competitively in six weeks, may it be too soon for him to start?

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Norwich: Will Mikel Arteta go 4-2-3-1 with Takehiro Tomiyasu making his debut and Thomas Partey returning from injury?

There isn’t much in the way of choice for the manager, barring a surprise start for Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Granit Xhaka is suspended and Mohamed Elneny is out with a hamstring strain.

A new look defence to the one that got torn apart against Manchester City could also take to the pitch with Gabriel and Ben White available, while there is an interesting decision to make at right-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu secured his visa in order to be part of the squad, but having only joined up with his new teammates on Thursday it could be a gamble to include him so soon. Yet, having seen what the other options are, maybe his inclusion couldn’t come soon enough.

There is also some debate over who should start in goal. Aaron Ramsdale has shot up in the fans’ estimations even if Bernd Leno hasn’t done anything especially wrong, and it’s there we start in predicting Arteta’s team.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – It might not be what many supporters crave, and while Ramsdale getting the nod is far from out of the question, Arteta might not want to make this change quite as sharply. Leno hasn’t done anything outwardly wrong in the previous two fixtures and, as it stands, mightn’t warrant dropping.

Cedric Soares (RB) – Purely because he’s got more recovery pace than Chambers to deal with Milot Rashica and is slightly more technically astute in the final third, it could be Cedric who gets the nod. Of course, Maitland-Niles fits those requirements but having been nowhere near the right-back slot so far this season it would be a surprise.

Ben White (CB) – Arsenal aren’t just relying on White being the talisman centre-back who transforms how the side build out from the back, he’s also got the responsibility of being a leader in this backline. His right-back and fellow central defender aren’t the most vocal and somebody will have to marshal this defence at set pieces.

Gabriel (CB) – Two centre-backs who are athletic, quick across the ground and proactive in their movements, Saturday is hoping to be the start of a long and fruitful partnership between Gabriel and White.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Ideally would get a rest for this one having featured in every minute of Scotland’s three international fixtures, but for a game Arsenal must win, they need their best players on the pitch.

Continued…