Arsenal take on Liverpool in Sunday’s much-awaited Premier League clash at Anfield.
The Gunners recently suffered a shock defeat to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round (5-3 on penalties) and now face a stern challenge against Liverpool on the road.
Arsenal have a dreadful record at Anfield with no wins since September 2012, and manager Mikel Arteta will be desperate to end the dismal streak this time around.
Ahead of the game, the Gunners have been handed a timely boost with Noni Madueke and Declan Rice expected to be fit after missing the Fleetwood game with injuries.
Arteta made nine changes for the League Cup defeat at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday, and we anticipate at least eight for the Merseyside trip this weekend.
The first change will obviously come in goal with David Raya returning between the sticks. He will replace Illan Meslier, who made his Gunners debut midweek.
Marli Salmon and Cristhian Mosquera were the centre-back pairing at Fleetwood and they should make way for the regular duo of Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Piero Hincapie looked rusty in his first start in almost two months, and we don’t see him starting at left-back, particularly with Riccardo Calafiori doubtful with an injury.
Myles Lewis-Skelly could drop into the left-back position on Sunday, while Jurrien Timber could be preferred over Ben White at right-back due to his one-on-one defensive ability.
The Dutchman could get the nod to nullify the threat from Bradley Barcola.
In midfield, Rice will obviously start and could be accompanied by Bruno Guimaraes, who will be eager to make amends after he missed the crucial penalty in the shoot-out on Tuesday.
Martin Zubimendi looks poised to drop to the substitutes’ bench.
Further forward, Ceadach O’Neill, Max Dowman and Kai Havertz are unlikely to make the XI.
O’Neill had a brilliant debut as a left winger against Fleetwood, providing the assist for Viktor Gyokeres scuffed goal. The youngster should still make way for experienced Eberechi Eze.
Christos Tzolis is pushing to make his return from a hamstring injury, but may not start after a notable lay-off.
On the right wing, Noni Madueke should be a guaranteed starter with Bukayo Saka out injured, while Dowman is suspended after his late and needless sending off at Fleetwood. The Gunners have appealed the decision.
Kai Havertz had a hall-of-shame performance in midweek with several big scoring chances squandered. He played behind Gyokeres on the night, and should be replaced by captain Martin Odegaard this weekend.
Gyokeres was not at his best on Tuesday, losing several physical duels. Despite this, he did score the Gunners’ only goal and proved more effective than the misfiring Havertz. He should lead the line again.
Likely Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Liverpool: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Guimaraes; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com