Arsenal predicted XI vs Liverpool: Pepe to get starting chance after West Ham impact

Arsenal face defending champions Liverpool in an intriguing contest at the Emirates on Saturday evening.  

Following three defeats in four Premier League games, the Gunners are now unbeaten in their last four, including a magnificent 3-3 comeback draw at West Ham last time out.

Mikel Arteta’s side were losing 3-0 after just 32 minutes but turned things around to earn a point in East London to keep them ninth in the table.

With seven-points separating Arsenal and fifth placed West Ham, it’s unlikely they will be able to qualify for Europe via the league.

This means that Thursday’s Europa League last-eight tie against Slavia Prague is their most realistic chance of maintaining European hopes for next season.

With that in mind, and with players returning from a busy international break, Arteta may look to shuffle his pack in order to keep key players as fresh as possible.

But which players will the Spaniard task with trying to inflict another damaging league defeat on Liverpool?

Here we predict the Arsenal starting XI to take on Jurgen Klopp’s Reds…

Goalkeeper:

Bernd Leno is Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice stopper and will continue between the sticks for what will be his 29th Premier League appearance from 30 matches. Arteta will have Mat Ryan – on loan from Brighton – as a reliable back-up if needed.

Defenders:

Arteta likes to play with a back-four and will put that into play once again. Despite a Europa League game on the Thursday, the Spaniard is expected to field most of his current first-choice options, meaning Kieran Tierney, David Luiz and Gabriel will line up. However, at right-back, Calum Chambers could continue to deputise for Hector Bellerin after impressing against West Ham.

Midfielders:

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are Arteta’s go-to men in the middle of the park, but we feel that Mohamed Elneny, who enjoyed a great international break, might be given a chance to impress in a big game once again. The Egyptian performed admirably in the win at Manchester United earlier in the season so could partner Partey against Liverpool. With Emile Smith Rowe suffering an injury on international duty, Martin Odegaard will continue in the attacking midfield role he’s excelled in since joining from Real Madrid on loan.

Forwards:

Buyako Saka had ti withdraw from England duty with an injury so, even if he proves his fitness, he might not be risked against Liverpool. This means that there could be an opportunity for Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian made a positive impact against West Ham after coming off the bench so should be rewarded with a start. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was subbed off for Pepe at the London Stadium but should start – probably from the left – with Alexandre Lacazette the third attacker after scoring the equaliser at the Hammers.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Liverpool: Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Elneny, Odegaard; Pepe, Aubameyang; Lacazette.