The predicted XI vs Tottenham with Gunners defensive crisis. Mikel Arteta’s biggest blow is the confirmed. The loss of key centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian defender sustained a thigh injury with Brazil on international duty. Hence, he will be in sidelines for “weeks,”. This is a shot that Alan Shearer called “tough to take”. With Gabriel’s regular wingman William Saliba a given. The boss now has a decision to make who fills in.
Injury Updates and Returning Stars
There’s a silver lining for captain Martin Odegaard. After a knee injury, the impactful midfielder returned to full training recently and will likely be back in the selection pool which would be a boost to the squad. There are however a few other notable names in the squad that do remain out injured including Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres.
There also has been an emphasis on defender Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness, after the player withdrew from international duty with Italy with a hip issue. Arteta has confirmed that Calafiori will undergo a late fitness test going into the match.
Arsenal’s Predicted XI
In goal, David Raya is the unquestioned first choice. The backline is where Arteta’s biggest selection headache lies. With Gabriel out, Piero Hincapié looks set with the duty of starting alongside Saliba at centre-back. If Calafiori is deemed fit he should start at left-back, with Jurriën Timber on the right.
In midfield, Odegaard’s return would place him back in the forward position, with Declan Rice and new signing Eberechi Eze dropping deeper. Up front, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka are expected to cover inside forward positions either side of central striker Mikel Merino, who is deputising for the injured Gyökeres.
Arsenal’s predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori; Rice, Eze, Ødegaard; Saka, Merino, Trossard.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
