Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Arteta to go 4-4-2?

Arsenal head to Anfield on Saturday evening to take on one of the Premier League title favourites in Liverpool hoping to extend their ten-match unbeaten run. Here is the predicted lineup.

After yet another international break it would have been kinder on the team to get back into the flow of league football with a less daunting encounter. Alas, the fixture list has coughed up a mouthwatering tie.

Supporters find themselves in a limbo: confidence is booming with positive notes all throughout the squad, but it’s also Anfield. A ground that Arsenal have secured a whopping two points from in their previous eight top-flight meetings.

It goes without saying that everyone will have to be on the top of their game for this one. And, fortunately, Thomas Partey is someone available to do so.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Will Mikel Arteta go 4-4-2 at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday with Lacazette starting?

Confirmed to be fit after missing Ghana’s two World Cup qualifiers, there was also no mention of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being injured, although Arteta as usual left some room for debate in his pre-match press conference in regards to the pair. Mind games? Keeping his cards close to his chest? Quite possibly (very likely).

There is a big debate rumbling on over whether Nuno Tavares or Kieran Tierney should start at left-back, a decision the manager can now fully commit to with both fit and firing for this one. As for the shape, the 4-4-1-1 type system he’s operated with of late has brought success, so it will be interesting to see whether he will deviate from that.

He has the options to do so with Martin Odegaard chomping at the bit to get himself back in the team, which is another of the main talking points ahead of kick-off.

Arsenal’s new England senior trio of Aaron Ramsdale, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka were all in action against San Marino in what can most fairly be described as a glorified training exercise, and there are no concerns over their involvement.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – He must be absolutely shattered from those three touches he took over in San Marino. Poor guy. Jokes aside, the biggest test of his Arsenal career, something that can be said for many in this team, is one he will be relishing.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – So far this season Tomiyasu has taken on the likes of Heung-min Son and come through with flying colours. Sadio Mane is a different kettle of fish.

Benjamin White (CB) – For many years supporters have been dished Anfield trips with central defenders like Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi lining up at right centre-back. How refreshing it is to have someone we trust due to feature.

Gabriel (CB) – As part of a duo now, the most encouraging centre-back partnership Arsenal have had since the Koscielny and Mertesacker days won’t have faced an attack like this. Gabriel has done well away at Anfield before, but not in the Premier League.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – We can never be exactly sure what Arteta will do, especially in the ‘bigger’ games where false nines and back fives can crop up out of anywhere. On this occasion, however, it’s most likely he’ll opt for the experience of Tierney.

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Midfielders

Bukayo Saka (RM) – Another characteristically strong showing over the international break even if it was literally against the worst ranked nation in the world, Saka’s security and ability to hold the ball in tight spaces is going to be an essential tool at Anfield.

Thomas Partey (CM) – Thank heavens he’s fit. As much as the idea at the moment is about unity and collective spirit, individually it’s hard to ignore how important it is for the chances of success on Saturday to have Partey available.

The likelihood of victory is already admittedly slim, so remove the Ghanaian from the equation and you’re pinning your hopes on every single facet of the game going in your favour.

He’s fit, so of course he will start.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (CM) – If this was being based off of the performances against Watford then the case is there for Maitland-Niles to be getting the nod in this one.

However, in a fixture where you need the players with the lightest touches and press breaking movement, the responsibility will fall on Sambi to partner Partey.

Emile Smith Rowe (LM) – Much like Saka, as if there is any debate that he will start every league match he’s fit for, Smith Rowe’s technical security and clever movement are going to have to inch perfect on Saturday to give Arsenal options building up and breaking pressure.

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Strikers

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – Big games call for big players.

We’re all well aware that Lacazette can only just about manage 65 minutes. His fitness levels are not at the capacity where he can burn so much energy with his relentless work rate and see the game out. What he is, though, is someone to turn up on the big occasions.

There is every chance that Odegaard could be drafted in for the reason of fitness levels, although the Norwegian coming on with 20-30 minutes to spare if Arsenal need a goal and require some creativity might be in the manager’s thinking.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – There is no real telling how this game will pan out although the most universally accepted premise is that Liverpool will dominate the ball. In that case, Aubameyang’s movement has to be aggressive and measured.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see him peel off to the left channel. The space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold is the space to exploit, and some diagonal runs in behind the full-back is probably going to be one of if not the primary outball for Arsenal.