Arteta unleashes “velvet” expertise & lets “aggressive” teen free: Predicted Arsenal XI – opinion
Arsenal head into this night’s FA Cup assembly with Oxford United in a incredible run of type, with Mikel Arteta‘s aspect having misplaced simply certainly one of their final eight fixtures in all competitions, with six of those outcomes being victories.
As such, securing a win of their cup conflict in opposition to League One opposition mustn’t pose the Premier League leaders a lot of an issue, with the prospect of a visit to Manchester Metropolis awaiting the winner of tonight’s third-round tie.
Nonetheless, with the north London derby up subsequent within the league for the Gunners, it might seem doubtless that the Spanish supervisor will subject one thing of a rotated XI on the Kassam Stadium this night.
So, simply what number of adjustments will the 40-year-old make to the aspect that began the 0-0 draw with Newcastle United final trip?
Right here’s how we at Soccer FanCast suppose the Arsenal beginning XI may look, in addition to the newest crew and damage information.
Whereas each Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson stay sidelined because of long-term accidents, with Arteta revealing in his pre-match press convention that Emile Smith Rowe appears set to make a long-awaited return from a groin damage this night, we predict that the Spaniard will make 9 adjustments from the aspect that began the stalemate with Newcastle final week.
The primary of those alterations comes between the sticks, with favoured cup goalkeeper Matt Turner coming in for regular first-choice shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale.
In the meantime, there are an additional three adjustments within the again 4, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White making means for Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu at left and right-back respectively, whereas Rob Holding additionally takes the spot of Gabriel Magalhaes to associate William Saliba within the coronary heart of the Gunners’ defence.
There are wholesale adjustments within the midfield three, with Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard all being rested, with Arteta handing begins to Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny and Fabio Vieira – who former England worldwide Joe Cole claimed possesses a “velvet left foot” following his show in opposition to Bodo/Glimt within the Europa League earlier this season.
The ultimate two adjustments are available in assault, with the “aggressive” – within the phrases of journalist Josh Bunting – 19-year-old Marquinhos being handed simply his fourth begin of the season on the proper wing and the aforementioned Smith Rowe lastly returning to the beginning XI on the left flank, whereas Eddie Nketiah retains his place main the Gunners’ line.