Mikel Arteta faces a number of crucial choices ahead of Arsenal’s game this weekend so how will Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United?

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on February 6, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on February 6, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

For the first time in a while, the Arsenal team got a proper break this week. After playing in the early kickoff against Aston Villa on Saturday, they had until the following week on Sunday to wait for their next fixture.

As a result, they’ll hopefully come back refreshed and ready to put things right. A couple of defeats on the bounce haven’t done much for confidence, but we’ll just have to hope they inspire the side to get back to winning ways ahead of the Europa League’s return.

Here’s our Arsenal predicted lineup to face Leeds United on Sunday.

Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United – Goalkeeper

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Pablo Mari of Arsenal after making a penalty save during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Pablo Mari of Arsenal after making a penalty save during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

After his suspension, Bernd Leno should come back into the Arsenal team. Mat Ryan did a good job against Aston Villa, and it’s a positive to have him available when Leno isn’t, but the German international remains the number one for now.

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Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United – Defence

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Cedric Soares of Arsenal is challenged by Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC on January 23, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Cedric Soares of Arsenal is challenged by Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC on January 23, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

We aren’t expecting too many changes in defence. Obviously, Kieran Tierney is going to return to the team when he’s fit, but there’s no suggestion he is yet.

David Luiz is back from his suspension and might replace Gabriel Magalhaes. Pablo Mari could even come in after his recovery. But Gabriel seems to be finding form again after his shaky return from Covid.

As a result, we’re predicting the same back four as against Villa, with Cedric Soares joining Gabriel, Rob Holding, and Hector Bellerin.

Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United – Midfield

Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

There’s no official word on the length of Thomas Partey’s injury just yet, but it looks like he’ll miss at least a game or two. The good news is that Dani Ceballos is back from injury and made the bench for the last couple of games.

Ceballos should be able to start alongside Granit Xhaka, with Emile Smith Rowe ahead of them as usual. Arteta kept picking Smith Rowe when the games were coming thick and fast, so he’ll surely stick with him for this one after a week’s break.

Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United – Forwards

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates with team mates (L-R) Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 02, 2021. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates with teammates (L-R) Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal on February 02, 2021. (Photo by Nick Potts – Pool/Getty Images)

Even though they blanked in the last game against Aston Villa, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka, and Alexandre Lacazette still seem like Arsenal’s most balanced front three at the moment.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang didn’t even make it to 10 touches in his half an hour against Villa. It’s not his fault, but the team is just better set up for a striker like Lacazette right now.

When Tierney returns, that’s when I’d expect Aubameyang to make it back into the starting lineup. Those two worked well together, in a way we haven’t seen from Aubameyang and Cedric.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Leeds United created with Chosen11.com
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Leeds United created with Chosen11.com
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