After a big win over top-four rivals West Ham, let’s take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup for the trip to Leeds United.
Arsenal shot up into a somewhat false position in the top-four on Wednesday, after a big win over West Ham United.
The Gunners are ahead of West Ham in fourth, but Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both have the games in hand they need to overtake Mikel Arteta’s side with wins.
For the time being, it’s a boost to be back sitting in the top four, and to have beaten a rival for the European places so convincingly.
Next up, Arsenal travel to a struggling Leeds United side, and they can’t afford to slip back into their recent run of away defeats. Let’s take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup to face Leeds.
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale will start, as he gets involved in the hunt for the Golden Glove. The goalkeeper is up to eight clean sheets, putting him hot on the heels of Alisson and Ederson on nine – both of whom have played more games than Ramsdale.
Bernd Leno is still yet to return to the Arsenal squad after his groin injury, with Arthur Okonkwo making the bench consistently.
It’s not impossible the German goalkeeper doesn’t make it back for the League Cup, and it will be interesting to see if Arteta puts faith in Okonkwo for that game.
Defence
Arsenal’s defence seems to have settled again, after the back-and-forth between Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares.
As well as Tavares did in his spell in the team, Tierney seems to have won his place back with his performances, and he should start on Saturday.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain nailed-on starters, and you wouldn’t expect any of them to drop out of the side after strong performances against West Ham.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are building their partnership at the moment, and it’s just a shame we’re so close to losing Partey to AFCON. Arteta is unlikely to rest the Ghana international when he knows these are his last chances to use him pre-tournament.
Ahead of them, it has to be Martin Odegaard. Emile Smith Rowe did well and scored against West Ham, but with Gabriel Martinelli’s injury substitution, Smith Rowe is probably going to be needed on the left.
Forwards
Whether or not Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available, Alexandre Lacazette is performing well enough that he should start against Leeds.
The striker may have had his penalty saved, but he provided an assist and put in a strong all-around performance against West Ham.
As mentioned, Smith Rowe will probably come into the team on the left, with Bukayo Saka a sure thing to keep his spot on the right.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Leeds United
