Arsenal predicted XI v Liverpool: £2m man returns, 5ft 9in gem gets seventh PL start of season

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must rally his troops following their disappointing defeat in the North London derby as Premier League champions Liverpool come to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Though the Reds have long wrapped up the title, they still have records to play for – only three wins from three would now see Jurgen Klopp’s side surpass Manchester City’s centurions of two seasons ago.

As for the Gunners, their European hopes were dealt a massive blow – they’re now four points adrift of seventh place with three games left – but they also have Pep Guardiola’s charges in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

Therefore, Arteta will have to manage his personnel carefully to ensure he can put out two teams capable of triumphing against high-calibre opposition.

The Arsenal boss has got a lot of joy from 3-4-3 despite the loss to Tottenham Hotspur and may well decide to stick to his guns, though a return to 4-2-3-1 could be tempting.

Emiliano Martinez is – barring any late fitness issues – all but assured of his place in between the sticks, with Bernd Leno still recovering from injury.

In front of him, Sead Kolasinac could keep his place despite his costly error against Spurs by virtue of being left-footed, while David Luiz is unlikely to be jettisoned either.

Shkodran Mustafi could be the man to make way, Arteta opting to rest him for Saturday after featuring in every game since the restart, and £2million ace Rob Holding could come in on the right-hand side.

Kieran Tierney has been a revelation since the restart and will likely keep his place at left wing-back, while Hector Bellerin could make way for Cedric Soares on the opposite flank.

The central midfield pairing of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos has clicked superbly and probably won’t be changed.

Things are a little more fluid in attack, though Arteta’s hands are a little tied given Eddie Nketiah’s suspension.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could once again line up on the left, while Reiss Nelson could be handed a rare start – the 5ft 9in ace would be making his seventh in the league this term – on the right, with Nicolas Pepe rested for Saturday.

Alexandre Lacazette – buoyed by his goal against Spurs – could once again lead the line, while Bukayo Saka’s versatility could see him on the bench as a substitute replacement for either Aubayemang or Tierney.

Arsenal predicted starting XI v Liverpool: Martinez; Kolasinac, Luiz, Holding; Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Cedric; Aubameyang, Lacazette, Nelson