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[Image] My Arsenal 4-3-3 to face Liverpool: Torreira to start, no Xhaka or Ozil

By on August 23, 2019

nicolas pepe arsenal

Arsenal need to show we can compete with the best when we take on Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Leno

Leno is our established number one and I’m hoping he’s going to have a big season. He looked susceptible at crosses against Burnley so hopefully he’s been working on them in training this week!

Defence: Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Monreal

Chambers was unfortunate to be dropped last weekend but as I said in my preview, Luiz has joined to be a regular starter so why delay the inevitable? Luiz has his flaws but he’s also a hugely talented defender and he usually turns up in the big games, so let’s hope he produces the goods at Anfield alongside Sokratis.

Maitland-Niles will continue at right-back in the absence of Bellerin and he’ll have to be focussed for the entire ninety minutes against a potent Liverpool attack. I’d stick with Monreal at left-back as he’s a far better defender than Kolasinac and he’ll also have to be on top of his game up against Mo Salah.

Midfield: Torreira, Guendouzi, Ceballos

There is no way Emery can leave Ceballos out after his stunning performance against Burnley but I hope we see Arsenal go with three in midfield to match up against Liverpool. Ceballos covered every blade of grass last weekend but I’d start him in the No.8 role tomorrow.

Xhaka is expected to return and no doubt Emery will give him an immediate recall, however, I would prefer to see the Swiss international left on the bench. Our midfield last week was so dynamic and athletic without Xhaka and I worry that his lack of pace/athleticism will be badly exposed by Liverpool.

Therefore, I’d prefer to see Torreira start at the base of the three in front of the defence with Guendouzi keeping his place alongside Ceballos. Willock has been excellent but we need Torreira to protect the defence and Guendouzi just edges out Willock for me.

Attack: Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

The big decision for Emery is whether to start Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pepe this weekend. The Ivorian played 45 minutes against Burnley and showed glimpses of what he’ll bring to the team and Emery has hinted he’s now ready to hand him his full debut.

Anfield is a daunting place to make your first start for a new club but I’d still go with Pepe ahead of the alternatives. Nelson has been in and out of games during his first two appearances and Mkhitaryan’s form has been woeful so let’s give our new boy a chance.

Pepe starting means we’ll finally see our mouth-watering front three starting together as Lacazette and Aubameyang should both keep their places in the Arsenal attack tomorrow.

The duo both scored against Burnley last weekend and as long as Aubameyang does his bit defensively to track back, there is no reason we shouldn’t see our new-look attack starting together at Liverpool.

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

football formations