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Tomiyasu returns – My Arsenal line-up vs Liverpool

By on March 16, 2022

takehiro-tomiyasu-arsenal

Arsenal will be looking to tighten their grip on fourth spot with a win over Liverpool at the Emirates tonight. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Aaron Ramsdale secured another clean sheet during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester City at the weekend. He’ll no doubt be a lot busier tonight but our No.1 should be an assured starter ahead of Bernd Leno in goal.

Kieran Tierney should keep his place with Nuno Tavares among the subs while I think it’s fair to say Ben White and Gabriel will start in the middle of Arsenal’s defence. They are forging an excellent partnership but they’ll need to be on form tonight to keep out Liverpool’s attack.

The big question mark is over Takehiro Tomiyasu. He’s back in training after recovering from a niggling calf injury but Arteta has suggested they’ve been cautious with the 23-year-old. If Tomiyasu is fully fit, then he has to be recalled as we desperately need our best defenders against this Liverpool front line.

Cedric Soares has done a decent job recently against teams lower down the table but he’d be up against the likes of Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz tonight so I fear he’d get found out. Tomiyasu is a MUCH better defender than Cedric so let’s hope he can return for Arsenal.

emile smith rowe arsenal

Smith Rowe misses out

In midfield I don’t think there is any need to change things so we should see Arteta match-up with Liverpool’s formation. Thomas Partey will anchor the midfield with Granit Xhaka and the ever-impressive Martin Odegaard in front of him.

Emile Smith Rowe is pushing for a recall but I wouldn’t change anything in attack. Gabriel Martinelli deserves to keep his place and obviously Bukayo Saka will start for Arsenal once again this evening.

Alexandre Lacazette has been doing a terrific job up front lately. Despite his lack of goals, the Frenchman has worked tirelessly and chipped in with assists, so he should lead the line up front.

That would leave Smith Rowe on the bench along with the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Eddie Nketiah.

Here is the side I hope we see:

football formations