Arsenal will be looking to go into the international break with a 100 percent winning record as they head to Liverpool in Sunday’s big Premier League clash.
The Gunners started the season off with a 1-0 victory at Manchester United before running out 5-0 winners against Leeds United.
Arsenal now face one of the toughest tests they’ll have this season as they head to the home of the reigning Premier League champions.
Liverpool have also won their opening two league games of the season, so something’s got to give before the September internationals.
Arsenal Insider predicts who Mikel Arteta could name in his starting XI for the 4:30pm kick-off at Anfield, a fixture whose timing has surprised both Arsenal and Liverpool.
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Arsenal team news vs Liverpool
Arteta confirmed on Friday that Bukayo Saka will not be involved, saying he is “doing better” and will not require surgery but “will be out for a few weeks”.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard “hasn’t trained yet” and “if he does it will be tomorrow”, but Arteta said he is “doing everything he can to make himself available”.
The Arsenal manager also confirmed that Christian Norgaard, Ben White and Leandro Trossard remain doubts for Sunday’s match at Liverpool.
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Arsenal tipped to start Ethan Nwaneri at Liverpool as Eberechi Eze set for spot on bench
Arsenal’s goalkeeper and back four are likely to remain the same from the win over Leeds last time out.
That means David Raya in goal, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori on the flanks, and William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.
Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are also shoo-ins in midfield, but then Mikel Arteta has a decision to make if Martin Odegaard isn’t fit enough to start.
Although new signing Eberechi Eze could feature in Odegaard’s position, we predict Ethan Nwaneri will get the nod if the Norwegian is out.
Gabriel Martinelli has a wonderful record against Liverpool and, as such, we feel he’ll get the nod on the left flank.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| FA Cup | 1 | – | – |
| EFL Cup | 3 | 2 | – |
| Total: | 12 | 6 | 2 |
The “very special talent” – in Paul Merson’s words – has six goals and two assists from 12 outings against Liverpool in all competitions, so Arteta could look to bring him back.
Noni Madueke could be deployed on the right flank in Saka’s absence, and Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line.
This means Eze would have to settle for a place on the bench, which just goes to show the sheer strength in depth at Arsenal’s disposal right now.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Liverpool (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
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