Gary Neville reckons ‘world-class’ Arsenal player definitely won’t be starting against Liverpool on Sunday

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Arsenal’s meeting with Liverpool at Anfield is edging closer, giving Mikel Arteta a lot to think about regarding team selection.

Arteta has been given a lot to consider ahead of the clash, as the Arsenal squad have already suffered key injuries. 

Bukayo Saka will be out for a month after picking up a hamstring injury against Leeds, a match that also saw Martin Odegaard exit the pitch prematurely. 

Odegaard has been called up for international duty, which is a positive; however, the Arsenal captain is still a real doubt to feature on Sunday. 

• READ MORE: Three ways Mikel Arteta can replace Bukayo Saka against Liverpool including Arsenal debut chance

Gary Neville doubts Gabriel Martinelli will play against Liverpool

Noni Madueke could be key against Liverpool as the favoured figure to replace Saka on the right, while Eberechi Eze could make his long-awaited Arsenal debut at Anfield to replace Odegaard. 

Though the two attackers are the focus of squad selection heading into the game, Gary Neville also thinks Arteta has a tough decision to make on the left side of attack. 

If Eze played centrally and Madueke on the right, the pundit believes that Leandro Trossard might be the favourite to start on the left.

“Trossard would be the safe bet, wouldn’t he?” Neville said on the Stick To Football podcast. 

The Sky Sports pundit’s opinion came in reaction to Gabriel Martinelli’s struggles. 

“I don’t think he will play Martinelli. I don’t think he will, he really struggled at Old Trafford, didn’t he?”

Neville is right, Martinelli was so poor against Manchester United, and Arteta took note of such, not giving the Brazilian any minutes on matchday two against Leeds. 

Arsenal have a difficult thing to tend to with Martinelli, who can be ‘world-class’ on his day, but for a few years now, he’s really struggled to reach those heights.

Martinelli’s record against Liverpool 

Though Martinelli isn’t a forward being sung about at Arsenal right now, Neville’s prediction could be wrong.

Arteta could be inspired to bring the 24-year-old back into the starting XI solely because of his tremendous record when playing against Liverpool.

Martinelli has recorded eight goal contributions in 12 career appearances against Liverpool, consistently troubling the Reds on the left side.

As well as his pace and power going forward, the Brazilian also offers defensive cover, which, with Mohamed Salah to contain, will come of use to the Gunners.

It will be fascinating to see what Arteta chooses to do with Martinelli at Anfield, who has a stellar record against Sunday’s opposition, but hasn’t exactly earned his place in the squad.