Arsenal continue their road tripping with a pivotal match at Anfield in the Premier League this weekend.
The less said about the capitulation at Fleetwood Town, the better. Arsenal were not just off it on Tuesday; they put in the worst performance of the Arteta era when you take into account the gap between the two sides.
With that embarrassing dark cloud hovering over them, they now have to shift gears and prepare for a trip to Anfield, where they have failed to secure a PL win in 14 years. Liverpool
just put Brighton to the sword over the weekend and dispatched Chelsea midweek in the Carabao Cup and will be more than happy to compound the Gunners’ woes on the heels of Tuesday’s ignominious showing.
It has all the makings of a perfect storm for Mikel Arteta’s men, who enter the weekend shorthanded in the attack and under the microscope. With mounting criticism and scrutiny, it’s up to them to show that they can shake off Tuesday’s hangover and get back to their title defense.
Let’s take a look at who is available, who is out, and how Arsenal may lineup this weekend.
Injuries & Suspensions
If Tuesday night’s performance wasn’t bad enough, the sending off of Max Dowman was salt in the wound. Because his red card came in an EFL match, his three match ban for violent conduct extends to the Premier League and FA Cup, which means the teen sensation is out against Liverpool. Arsenal’s appeal was, predictably, denied, so the Gunners remain even thinner in the attack.
A number of players were left back in London with knocks, though a few felt particularly precautionary. Arteta listed the likes of Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and Noni Madueke as players that may be late decisions for Sunday, but that also could just be run-of-the-mill manager speak. At least, that’s the hope.
There are murmurs that Christos Tzolis could be back in time for Sunday. Even if that were the case, he would almost certainly be a bench option at best due to his lack of match fitness.
William Saliba and Bukayo Saka remain out.
OUT: William Saliba (back), Bukayo Saka (thigh), Max Dowman (red card)
DOUBT: Noni Madueke (ankle), Christos Tzolis (hamstring), Riccardo Calafiori (knock)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Eze, Havertz, Madueke
LW: Eberechi Eze
Arteta brought Eze into the match at Fleetwood in the second half, and he looked how you’d expect a top flight player should against a lower division side. He routinely left his fullback chasing shadows, but suffered the same fate as the rest of the attack as his final ball was left wanting. He is the only first-team option available at the moment, so it’s up to him to make an impact at Anfield.
ST: Kai Havertz
Pick your poison.
Arsenal’s attack has been much maligned in recent weeks, and the strikers have felt the brunt of that criticism, and justifiably so. Kai Havertz has not looked himself since returning from the break and had a nightmarish outing at Fleetwood Town, amassing the most xG in the side while wasting countless opportunities that would have seen the Gunners cruise to an otherwise simple win. Viktor Gyökeres was not much better despite bundling a ball home for the equalizer. Knowing Arteta, he will stick by Kai come hell or high water. Vik could start, but he doesn’t get enough service to make a difference right now.
RW: Noni Madueke
Madueke was one of the players who were left back with a slight injury on Tuesday. He has been playing better with each match, so I am going to remain optimistic that he should be fine to go on Sunday. If not, the Gunners will have to get creative on the right hand side with Bukayo Saka and Max Dowman both out. One shudders at the thought…
Midfield: Rice, Guimarães, Ødegaard
CM: Declan Rice
Even at less than 100%, Rice is a stellar player. A week’s rest will hopefully mean he has gotten the chance to recharge and prepare for a Liverpool side that has been steadily improving in recent matchweeks. His ability to clean up loose balls, shore up the defense, and put in a shift in the attack is unrivaled, and his availability and fitness will be huge difference makers against the Reds.
CDM: Bruno Guimarães
There is a big part of me that sees this match as a Lewis-Skelly match. He has been extremely solid this season playing in the midfield, but he played the majority of the match on Tuesday. He could start and would probably do a fine job. Arteta has been giving Bruno more starts in recent weeks, though, so I don’t doubt he has a strong chance to make the starting XI at Anfield considering he only saw a handful of minutes during the cup exit.
CAM: Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal’s most consistent player came on at halftime and did his best to get the Gunners over the line, but the attack could not make any inroads despite him having the second highest expected assists behind Dowman. The inability of the attackers finishing their dinner has been an unfortunate theme this season, which is a shame considering how excellent the captain has been.
Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Konsa, Timber
LB: Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori has been a consistent worry – not for anything he has done on the pitch, but because of the ever-present injury concerns that surround him. He has been managed really well this season but looks to have potentially picked up a knock against Everton on the weekend. Considering Piero Hincapie’s rusty performance, Calafiori’s availability will be a big one this weekend. If he’s fit, he starts.
LCB: Gabriel Magalhães
Arsenal’s leader in the back remained in London following an injury scare over the weekend. They sure could have used him, but keeping him fit is far more important. He is one of the league’s best defenders, and he starts the big ones.
RCB: Ezri Konsa
Konsa was one of Arteta’s late subs on Tuesday, which more or less ensures he is in the lineup at Liverpool. He has had an impressive start to his Arsenal career and finally opened his account against Everton. He will need to be at his best to keep the Reds from finding any joy in front of Arsenal’s goal.
RB: Jurrien Timber
Timber and Ben White have been splitting duties at right back, which has been a huge boost for the overall fitness of the back line. Timber is a more solid defender, which is why I’m inclined to think that he starts against Liverpool. Ben White has been surprisingly good on the heels of more injury setbacks. Either would be fine, but I think Arteta plays it safe with Timber.
Keeper: David Raya
The league’s best keeper could have been a big difference maker at Fleetwood Town, but he there was zero need for the Gunners to have to rely on his services. He is leagues above the other options available and put in one of his most commanding performances at the Emirates last weekend.
WHO: Arsenal at Liverpool
WHAT: Premier League match day 9
WHEN: Sunday, November 1st, 11:30am EST/8:30am PST/4:30pm GMT
WHERE: Anfield, Liverpool
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Peacock app
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