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[Image] No Lacazette or Bellerin: The Arsenal line-up Arteta should pick vs Palace

By on January 10, 2020

gabriel martinelli 2019

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime. Here is the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

Bellerin not risked

Hector Bellerin has returned to full training this week after missing the last month with a hamstring injury. However, Arteta has suggested this game will come too soon and it’s not worth risking a set-back so I’d leave Hector at home.

Sokratis looked well out of place at right-back against Leeds so Ainsley Maitland-Niles should be recalled as he’s improved dramatically in the last few games under Arteta’s guidance. Kieran Tierney remains out with a dislocated shoulder injury so Sead Kolasinac will retain his place at left-back.

Rob Holding was rusty on his return to the team on Monday night so he’s going to need more time to get back to his best. Calum Chambers is obviously out after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury so Sokratis will start alongside David Luiz in the middle of the Arsenal back four.

Guendouzi out

Granit Xhaka should keep his place in midfield ahead of Matteo Guendouzi. The French youngster has huge potential but his lack of positional awareness is a problem and for all his faults, Xhaka is probably the safer bet right now.

Lucas Torreira should be recalled as he was badly missed against Leeds. It’s clear he makes Xhaka a better player and they are our best pairing right now. Dani Ceballos is an option now that he’s overcome his hamstring injury but he lacks match fitness so he should be on the Arsenal bench tomorrow.

Martinelli starts

It will be interesting to see what Arteta does in attack but I think he’ll persist with Alexandre Lacazette up front and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out wide. However, I’d personally like to see Auba through the middle with Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

Laca is working hard for the team but he’s woefully out of form in front of goal and I think we look more balanced with Auba up front. Plus, Martinelli was in excellent form before his injury so I’ve give him some game-time before we potentially lose him to the Brazil U23s later this month.

Mesut Ozil is enjoying a good run of form so he should keep his place in the attacking midfield position. Reiss Nelson is an option on the right wing but I think it’s clear Nicolas Pepe should start as he’s hugely dangerous whenever he’s on the ball. Let’s give him a run in the team now.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations