Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Liverpool… Mikel Arteta makes one big change, ‘amazing’ 24-year-old is dropped

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After an important victory last weekend, it’s now time for Mikel Arteta to prepare his Arsenal side for a huge test against Liverpool.

Arsenal’s title challenge began to fall apart after they let a two-goal lead slip at Anfield last season, and Arteta will be keen to right those wrongs.

That being said, Liverpool are now a much improved side, Jurgen Klopp is successfully developing ‘Liverpool 2.0’.

And ahead of this early title-indicator, we won’t call it a ‘decider’ just yet, we are expecting Mikel Arteta to make just one change – which may come as a surprise.

After dispatching Brighton Hove Albion on the weekend so impressively, there’s an argument that Arsenal should be unchanged.

However, Mikel Arteta has often shown that he’s not afraid to make big calls at Arsenal, and we’re expecting another at Liverpool.

Jorginho was trusted in the win against Man City not so long ago, and could easily take Kai Havertz’s place this time around.

Of course, that would feel extremely harsh on ‘amazing’ Havertz, who has arguably been one of Arsenal’s best players during the last month or so.

However, the German could definitely play a winning role from the bench – something he did at Brentford.

Mikel Arteta could drop Kai Havertz to the Arsenal bench against Liverpool

If Jorginho does return to the Arsenal eleven for Saturday’s game it would be a nod to how well Arteta regards this Liverpool team.

Klopp’s front line is looking almost as potent as it did during the days of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in their prime.

Darwin Nunez always looks on the cusp of greatness – even he is struggling to make the last step.

But Arsenal’s defence will certainly face a stern test.

And although he’s picked in the starting eleven here, Oleksandr Zinchenko may had been dropped with others available.

Zinchenko struggled in this fixture last year, often suffering when defending one versus one.

And had either Takehiro Tomiyasu or Jurrien Timber been available, they would probably take his spot.

That being said, it’s not impossible to think that Arteta could hand Jakub Kiwior an Arsenal start against Liverpool, he would add defensive steel.

And that could explain why Arsenal have now made their January stance on Kiwior’s future very clear.