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Nketiah starts | My Arsenal line-up vs Norwich

By on December 24, 2021

Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Arsenal can tighten their grip on fourth spot with a win over Norwich City on Boxing Day afternoon. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Arsenal face playing two games in three days and we’ll be up against a fresh Wolves side on Tuesday as their game on Boxing Day has been cancelled. Therefore, I think it’s important Arteta uses his squad wisely against Norwich to make sure we’re as fresh as possible for the Wolves game.

Obviously Aaron Ramsdale should return in goal after being rested for the League Cup win over Sunderland and I’d recall Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back. Nuno Tavares played well in midweek and I’d stick with him at left-back to give Tierney a rest ahead of the Wolves clash.

I’d also like to see Ben White given a breather as he played against Sunderland. Therefore, Rob Holding should keep his place with Gabriel returning alongside him in the middle of the Arsenal defence.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka should return while Thomas Partey will be recalled after being rested against Sunderland. Arsenal are trying to see if Partey can play against Wolves before heading off to the AFCON but hopefully Albert Sambi Lokonga is available if Partey has to link-up with Ghana after the Norwich match.

Nketiah starts

Gabriel Martinelli should be recalled on the left flank and I’d keep Martin Odegaard in the No.10 role with Emile Smith Rowe rested for the Wolves match. I’d also protect Bukayo Saka and give Nicolas Pepe another chance to impress against Norwich. He was excellent in the League Cup so let’s see if he can replicate that form in the league.

It doesn’t sound like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be involved again over the festive period. I personally don’t think Alexandre Lacazette has the fitness to start two games in three days so it might be prudent to save him for the Wolves game with Eddie Nketiah keeping his place up front versus Norwich. The 22-year-old scored a superb hat-trick against Sunderland and he’s got the quality to cause Norwich problems.

Arteta may opt to go full-strength away to Norwich and then rotate for the home game against Wolves but I think this side is more than capable of winning at Carrow Road. We’d then be able to play virtually a full strength team against Wolves.

Here is the side I hope we see:

football formations

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