Arsenal will aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Newcastle United at St James’ Park tomorrow.
The Gunners are presently five points behind leaders Liverpool. They can reduce the deficit to just two with a victory over the Magpies.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta is likely to make at least three changes from the 1-1 league draw against the Cityzens last weekend.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya has been ever-present in the Premier League for the Gunners. He has kept three clean sheets and will be eyeing another shut-out.
In front of him, it should be the same backline from the stalemate against the Cityzens. We expect Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori to occupy the right and left-back positions.
William Saliba is poised to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the defence.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice should be assured starters, but we expect Mikel Merino to be dropped on the back of unconvincing displays against City and Port Vale.
Manager Mikel Arteta obviously prefers the physicality of the Spaniard, but the 43-year-old must let go of the handbrake approach and play with a creative midfielder against Newcastle.
Martin Odegaard has returned to full training after his latest shoulder injury, but he could be introduced off the bench due to his lack of match sharpness, having missed the last few games.
Hence, we anticipate Eberechi Eze to feature as the central playmaker. The Englishman delivered a sublime assist versus City before scoring his maiden club goal against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.
Further forward, Viktor Gyokeres is an undisputed starter from the number nine role with Kai Havertz out injured.
Bukayo Saka is assured to feature on the right wing. Gabriel Martinelli should get the nod over Leandro Trossard on the left flank on the back of his recent goalscoring heroics coming off the bench.
Martinelli opened the scoring against Athletic Bilbao before bagging a dramatic late equaliser versus City. He should start ahead of Trossard, who lacks sufficient top speed on the counter-attack.
How Arsenal could line up vs Newcastle
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
