**The Gunners will be in action on Friday night, a week after that thrilling 5-1 victory at Selhurst Park.**
Arsenal are set to welcome Ipswich Town to the Emirates stadium as they hope to play their part in a Premier League title race which is currently in favour of Liverpool.
Between the sticks, Raya is expected to start as usual while Gabriel and Saliba keep their vital centre-back partnership infront of him.
I have found Lewis-Skelly’s displays to be so mature and impressive that it almost appears to be a lie that he is somehow just 18 years old. The youngster has to maintain his spot at left-back and so should Timber on the opposite flank.
One of my big calls is in midfield, where it would be preffered for Rice to start as the defensive midfielder. That was the position which saw the England international produce his best performances last season but partly due to Arteta’s countless system changes this term, Rice has rarely gotten the chance to do what he does best, which is protecting the back four.
Another familiar template from last year was Jorginho in midfield and even though the Italian has his critics, it’s fairly obvious that the Granit Xhaka replacement is yet to be found two years later and summer signing Merino has not answered that question up till now.
Partey has been impressive this season but his exploits have come when he is in possesion of the ball rather than without it. Off the ball, he remains a sluggish defensive midfielder who is often not quick to sniff out danger from the opposition and we have continued to concede chances even during his best displays in midfield, which again, have come when he is on the ball, rather than defending attacks.
Jorginho’s presence in midfield instead of Partey is mainly to assist with breaking down Ipswich’s expected low block with his penetrative passes. Nonetheless, it has to be said that the choice between the two is very 50/50. Both are sluggish off the ball but are capable of a quality pass. I’d go with Jorginho for this game.
The in-form Jesus should keep his spot up top but the biggest call for this game would be starting Nwaneri. Yes, he is only 17, and yes his last two cameos have been a bit quiet but his left-footed trickery and lack of fear with the ball, makes him the most similar deputee for Saka.
Martinelli did fine as a right winger against Crystal Palace, but for now, it would be better for him to stay on the left while we test a new option on the right wing.
**PREDICTED TEAM**
Raya
Timber – Saliba – Gabriel – Lewis-Skelly
Rice
Odegaard – Jorginho
Nwaneri – Jesus – Martinelli