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My Arsenal line-up vs Leeds

By on December 18, 2021

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Arsenal can tighten their grip on fourth spot with a win over Leeds United at Elland Road this evening. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Aaron Ramsdale will obviously keep his place in goal and I hope Arteta sticks with the same back four, too. Keiran Tierney is improving all the time and getting back to his best since returning from injury so he should start ahead of Nuno Tavares at left-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players this season and looks to be an excellent addition at right-back. And it also looks as though we’ve got a solid partnership developing at the heart of defence between Ben White and the excellent Gabriel.

I still think midfield is an area Arsenal needs to improve upon over the coming transfer windows but for now I think it’s safe to say our best partnership is Granit Xhaka alongside Thomas Partey.

I’m not Xhaka’s biggest fan and think we need an upgrade but in such a young team, his experience and leadership is important. Partey has also improved his form in the past few games so I’d stick with him and Xhaka meaning Albert Sambi Lokonga remains on the bench.

Martin Odegaard has been in terrific form lately and his work rate is so important so I don’t see how Arteta can leave him out. Emile Smith Rowe is obviously pushing for a recall after scoring off the bench against West Ham.

Auba frozen out

pierre-emerick aubameyang arsenal 2020

Gabriel Martinelli looks un-droppable as he continued his excellent form with a superb goal in midweek, however, he limped off with a knock so it might not be worth the risk starting him. Therefore, Smith Rowe can come in on the left with the 21-year-old replacing Martinelli.

Obviously Bukayo Saka should keep his place on the wing. He was excellent against West Ham and it looks like he’s getting back to his best form just at the right time.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been frozen out of the Arsenal squad it looks like there’s no way back for him as it’s been reported he won’t play for the club before heading off to the AFCON in January.

It’s a messy situation but luckily Alexandre Lacazette seems to be stepping up to the plate as he was excellent in midweek – despite missing his penalty. Let’s hope he can build some confidence starting with a goal at Elland Road tonight.

Here is the side I hope we see:

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