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[Image] Arsenal’s best line-up to face Crystal Palace: Bellerin starts, no Xhaka

By on October 26, 2019

hector-bellerin-arsenal-2018

Arsenal need a win to stay in touch with the top four of the Premier League table when we take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Leno

Martinez kept goal for the 3-2 victory over Vitoria in the Europa League but Leno is set to be recalled between the sticks tomorrow.

Defence: Bellerin, Sokratis, Holding, Tierney

Bellerin, Tierney and Holding all started on Thursday night and the trio are expected to drop to the bench on Sunday with Emery recalling Kolasinac, Chambers, Sokratis and Luiz after they were rested in the Europa League.

However, I would love to see Bellerin, Tierney and Holding all start against Palace as they should be part of the first team line-up, not playing in Europe with the second string. It’s a toss up over whether I’d start Sokratis or Luiz but the Greek international just edges it.

Midfield: Torreira, Guendouzi, Ceballos

I appreciate the Arsenal midfield was woeful against Vitoria but that was largely down to how Emery lined-up the team rather than the personnel. Torreira should be anchoring the side in front of the defence with two players in front of him.

Willock is in a poor run of form right now so I’d go with Guendouzi and Ceballos ahead of Torreira. However, no doubt Emery will stick with Xhaka in the deepest midfield role and we’ll have to put up with another ponderous display from the Swiss international.

Attack: Saka, Pepe, Aubameyang

Lacazette was understandably rusty against Vitoria after being out for seven weeks so I’d use him from the bench against Palace. Obviously Aubameyang should come in to lead the line up front after he was rested for Arsenal’s win on Thursday night.

Pepe finally announced himself in England with a stunning late cameo in the Europa League. His two superb free-kick turned things around to seal the 3-2 win and I hope he kicks on from here with renewed confidence. He’s a star in the making.

Martinelli continued his impressive start to his Arsenal career with another goal on Thursday and he’s knocking on the first team door but I’d bring in Saka on the wing for some fresh legs tomorrow.

Mesut Ozil continues to be frozen out of the squad by Emery as their feud rumbles on. Personally, I think it’s hugely damaging for Arsenal to not at least have Ozil on the bench but Emery is clearly making a point.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but with Arsenal’s clear lack of creativity going forward, it seems ridiculous not to utilise one of the best playmakers in Europe but Emery obviously has his reasons.

This is the starting eleven I hope we’ll see from Arsenal:

football formations