Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Inter - Champions League

Saturday's defeat at Newcastle was so bereft of inspiration that Mikel Arteta must've returned to the drawing board as soon as he stepped foot in London Colney following the long trip back from Tyneside.

Without skipper Martin Odegaard, Arsenal were flat and insipid. The boss perhaps thought his team could bully their eager hosts, but Newcastle were dominant in all phases and comfortably held off the Gunners after Alexander Isak headed them into an early lead.

Now, we shouldn't expect wholesale changes to the starting XI for Wednesday's tough Champions League tie to Inter, but there's bound to be some adjustment from Saturday's team. There's even hope that Odegaard will fly out with the team and mark his return to action following six weeks out.

With a London Derby against Chelsea to consider on Sunday, here's the team Arteta could pick to face the Nerazzurri.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Inter

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - The Spaniard kept his third clean sheet of the league phase in as many games last time out against Shakhtar Donetsk. Raya will have to work hard to record another shutout in Milan.

Ben White (RB) - White was fit enough for a cameo appearance on Saturday and should be expected to return to the starting XI on Wednesday night.

William Saliba (CB) - Inter's array of forward options means we don't know who Saliba will be tasked with shunning in the channels. The centre-back will hope Simone Inzaghi gives Marcus Thuram a breather after he played 90 minutes on Sunday.

Gabriel (CB) - Gabriel quickly returned from a knock on Saturday and will be good to go here. The Brazilian's box defending will be put to the test by an Inter side that can get at you in a myriad of ways.

Jurrien Timber (LB) - Riccardo Calafiori's absence hinders Arsenal from a fluidity perspective and although there's no doubting Timber's ability defensively, the Dutchman doesn't always look comfortable in possession down the left flank.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) - The Ghanaian should move out of the defensive line with White returning and get the nod at the base of midfield where he'll often be joined by Timber in the build-up phase. Partey has started every Premier League and Champions League game this season.

Declan Rice (CM) - Rice's long-term future may reside in a deeper position, but Arteta still values him higher up the pitch. He improved on Saturday when deployed in a left-sided eight role.

Kai Havertz (AM) - Havertz is a free-roamer in Arteta's framework, but a change from the boss should take the German away from the right-sided role he's performed in recent games. Havertz could be utilised in the middle of the park to match Inter's midfield three, but he'll also be tasked with arriving late into the opposition's box - as he did against PSG.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - Saka was shut out by the impressive Lewis Hall at the weekend, and he's going to be surrounded by multiple Nerazzurri bodies every time he receives possession here. The winger should see plenty of Alessandro Bastoni down his flank.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - Jesus doesn't necessarily deserve a start here, but he wasn't given much of a chance to build on any momentum gained from his goal at Preston on Saturday. The Brazilian captained the side last time out in this competition.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - With Arteta not fancying Raheem Sterling, Martinelli may well get the nod down the left again. Leandro Trossard shouldn't be near the starting XI given the level he's performed at as of late.

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