Arsenal are just one game away from being top of the Premier League on Christmas Day but need a win against Liverpool at Anfield to be absolutely sure.
The Gunners have a point more than Saturday’s opponents but a win for Aston Villa at home to Sheffield United and a draw at Anfield would mean it is Unai Emery’s side sitting top of the tree before Boxing Day.
Manager Mikel Arteta will have seen Manchester United’s 0-0 draw at Anfield and taken some confidence, though the Reds returned to form by putting five past West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. With a handful of players out with injuries, the Spanish coach is unlikely to spring any surprises with his team selection.
Here’s the starting lineup Arteta could choose when Arsenal face Liverpool in the Premier League.
GK: David Raya – Is still the favoured choice for Premier League games. This is the sort of match Aaron Ramsdale will really wish he was between the sticks for.
RB: Ben White – Impressed again in the win over former side Brighton last weekend, albeit picking up a yellow card on the way. He is proof Arteta is able to coach and mould players into what he wants.
CB: William Saliba – Continually impressive, Saliba will be hoping the Liverpool attack performs like it did against Man Utd rather than West Ham.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – Just like Saliba, Gabriel will have to be on top form and hope the Liverpool forwards are not.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – This would be an unchanged team from the one that beat Brighton 2-0 and that means Zinchenko holding his place, with little competition elsewhere for the left-back spot.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Has been getting back to his creative best recently and could be set for a huge performance under the lights against the Reds on Saturday.
CM: Declan Rice – Looking like a better signing week by week, Rice is the kind of player who gets really up for these matches.
CM: Kai Havertz – Has been enjoying a return to favour under Arteta over the past month or so, netting the second goal against Brighton. Another strike here would make him very popular.
RW: Bukayo Saka – While it’s already glistening, Saka could boost his reputation even more with a big display here. Arsenal fans would certainly be forever grateful.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Has started scoring more often in the Premier League, grabbing the first against Brighton last weekend. Now it is time for a goal or two when it really, really matters.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – A few more goals in matches like this one would do Martinelli’s reputation the world of good.
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