Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Salah, Smith Rowe, Martinelli?

Arsenal face the biggest test in their recent strong run of form as they host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium for Wednesday’s Premier League clash. Here is the predicted lineup.

Facing Jurgen Klopp’s side is never particularly welcome. They’re one of the best sides in Europe and have been for a number of years, with their aggressive and fast football capable of pulling apart the finest defences around.

In case there was any more incentive for them, Manchester City could only manage a draw with Crystal Palace on Monday, meaning victory for the Reds would move them to within a point of their title rivals. For Arsenal, it’s all about consolidating their place in the top four after beating Leicester 2-0 on Sunday.

The team Mikel Arteta put out for the comfortable win over the Foxes looks set to be very similar to the one that remains in place the final 12 games of the season, and there are only a couple of areas to ponder over for this one.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Is Mohamed Salah fit and will Arteta choose Martinelli or Smith Rowe for Premier League clash?

Gabriel Martinelli didn’t get on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win but he did put in a performance that gradually improved as the match wore on. Grabbing an assist in the first half, he started being more direct with his running and caused Ricardo Pereira all manner of problems.

His place could come under threat from Emile Smith Rowe.

Arsenal look set to be doing plenty of defending against Liverpool and the decision on who to field on the left may come down to who Mikel Arteta trusts to provide more defensive cover for Kieran Tierney.

On the other side of defence it is touch and go whether Takehiro Tomiyasu will be fit to play, while the visitors are sweating on the availability of Mohamed Salah.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – At long last the conversation has restarted over whether Ramsdale should be England’s number one heading into the World Cup. The answer is yes, he should.

Cedric Soares (RB) – Having come into the team and performed well in Tomiyasu’s absence, in the last couple of matches the deficiencies in Cedric’s game have been exposed. It’s slightly concerning.

Benjamin White (CB) – For consistency across the whole campaign there should be more talk for White to be handed the Player of the Season award. For now he’s without doubt the best defender at the club.

Gabriel (CB) – He needed the clean sheet on Sunday after a couple of jittery moments in recent weeks, and his performance all round was solid.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – Another player who performed well against Leicester but will have a far tougher evening ahead of him, Tierney has to be at his very best to keep Liverpool at bay.

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Midfielders

Martin Odegaard (AM) – A former trainee with Liverpool before he ended up joining Real Madrid, he would slot into their team without much debate on current form. Imagine him feeding Mohamed Salah?

Scary.

Thomas Partey (DM) – We’re seeing the real Partey in 2022. Coming alive as the lone No. 6, the additional responsibility bestowed on him has been to his benefit.

This, like for everyone else, will be his biggest test as the Reds’ pressing is one of the finest in world football. He will need to be squeaky clean on and off the ball.

Granit Xhaka (AM) – How much deeper will we see Xhaka play as opposed to against less dynamic opposition?

If possible he will maintain his advanced role but the quality of the opponent is likely to see him forced back into a more double pivot system whether he likes it or not.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Every time Arsenal play Liverpool and get turned over by them you can’t help the devil on your shoulder whispering into your ear about how good Saka would look in their team.

The star boy has been one of the Gunners’ players of the season and his excellence will be sorely needed on Wednesday.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – How much good will the goal on the weekend have done for him?

Even if it came from the spot there is no denying that Lacazette needed that strike, one that will give him a little confidence boost ahead of facing a team he’s netted three times against.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – While both have their pros and cons, Martinelli’s unrelenting engine and pressing from the front will be what Arteta sees as the most valuable commodity against Liverpool.

That tenacity to pounce on errors and get in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold will be crucial if Arsenal are to hurt their visitors.

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Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal – Will Salah be Fit?

The big question mark for Klopp’s side is whether or not Mohamed Salah will be available to play after hobbling off with a foot injury against Brighton last time out.

Well, even if he is, that means Diogo Jota will come in. Jota, who we all know, loves playing against Arsenal.

He’s scored three against them already this season. Fun.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Alisson (GK) – He isn’t as cool on the ball as everyone may think he is. Still world class, mind you.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – Everything about TAA is crucial to Wednesday’s game: his contributions in the final third and Arsenal getting in behind him

Joel Matip (CB) – Going injury free, Matip has been quietly excellent this season.

Virgil van Dijk (CB) – The third best centre-back on the pitch on Wednesday.

Andrew Robertson (LB) – Even when you think he isn’t having his best season he sits third in the Premier League assists table with nine. One of the most complete full-backs in Europe.

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson (CM) – Will he be a target for Arsenal? The Liverpool captain is someone it’s best to limit on the ball as his progressive passing numbers have been excellent all season.

Fabinho (DM) – Someone who revels in the lone No.6 role, if Thomas Partey could add some of the Brazilian’s goalscoring prowess to his game he’d be on another planet.

Thiago Alcantara (CM) – Watching how Odegaard jinks away with the ball does draw some comparisons to Thiago, who has been one of the most aesthetically pleasing footballers on the planet for a number of years.

Forwards

Diogo Jota (RW) – It does appear as if Salah will miss this one out and if he does it isn’t especially reassuring for Arsenal fans since Jota has netted seven goals in his ten appearances against them.

Usually fielded through the middle, he might have to move onto the right in a fluid front three.

Sadio Mane (ST) – Opting against using Firmino or Jota recently with Mane through the middle, Klopp might stick with his plan although there is sure to be endless interchanging across the forward line.

Luis Diaz (LW) – To arrive in the English north west from Portugal in the middle of winter and hit the ground running like he has is frightening.

This lad is scarily quick and poor Cedric is going to have nightmares even thinking about facing him. What a signing and what a player.