Arsenal have got something of a break from their win over Crystal Palace from last weekend and play the final game of the Christmas matches at home to Ipswich on December 27 at 8:15pm UK time. Arsenal fans are hoping for a continuation of a free-scoring form seen in the last week.
Bukayo Saka’s injury suffered in that clash with Palace has to be dealt with by Mikel Arteta as they take on one of the league’s relegation candidates. It is a good opportunity, especially at home to test out a potential solution and there are some blessings in regard to the form of some players in the team.
Despite the opponent appearing favourable, it is key that Arteta gets the line-up spot on. With that said, football.london runs through some of the potential changes we recommend that could be made to the starting eleven for this match.
David Raya will continue in goal although we are approaching the FA Cup third round which could see Neto finally make his Arsenal debut. Otherwise, the back four remains the same as it did in the win over Palace.
Riccardo Calafiori is back in the picture but should be eased back in after back-to-back injuries in his start to life at the club. Myles Lewis-Skelly has done very well, as has Jurrien Timber at right-back and while Gabriel Magalhaes has returned there are eyes on William Saliba following a tumultuous time in south London this past weekend.
In midfield, the tandem of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz certainly offered the Gunners more attacking potential and it, therefore, should not be a surprise to see five goals go in for the sixth time away from home in 2024 – the first time a top-flight English club has done such a thing. Yet Thomas Partey did struggle and perhaps his lack of mobility was the reason.
Therefore, bringing Declan Rice back into the picture is certainly preferable. Keeping the attacking pair is also better against a side the Gunners should be keeping plenty of the ball against.
Into the forward line and the task of replacing Bukayo Saka. Well, Gabriel Jesus’ form is very welcome indeed and moving him from the central striker position simply does not make too much sense as a result.
Gabriel Martinelli too looks like he could be reaching another positive spot after some of his own challenges. But Ethan Nwaneri, as we have discussed at football.london could prove to be the perfect profile to come in for Saka.
Arsenal changed XI vs Ipswich: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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