League leaders Arsenal are back at the Emirates for a rare home tilt as they welcome recently-promoted Hull City on Saturday for their 10th Premier League match this campaign.
The Gunners have spent 2/3 of the season away from home with 10 road trips from their first 15 matches, which makes their 12W-1D-2L record all the more impressive. Coupled with the absences of William Saliba and, more recently, Bukayo Saka, the beginning three months have been a test that the reigning PL title holders have navigated
exceptionally well.
Saka remains out, but Saliba rejoins the side as the Gunners are about to enter a stretch of matches beginning in late November where they do not leave London until January. It’s a nice trade-off for the exhausting opening slate, even if it does feature ties against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.
Before they can think about all of that, they host a Hull City side that have shown a penchant for being a pest that refuse to lose in their return to the PL after a decade away. Arsenal have not been at their clinical best in recent weeks, but that’s not terribly surprising when you have been living out of your suitcase. With a return to the carpet on deck, can the Gunners continue their historic home dominance over recently-promoted sides to create a little breathing room at the top of the table?
Injuries & Suspensions
Wednesday marked the return of William Saliba – to the bench, at least. The all-world centerback made the trip to Prague but did not feature during the Gunners’ 1-2 Champions League win.
His return is timely as Ezri Konsa came off in the 2nd half with Mikel Arteta mentioning after the match that he has “had some issues” in recent weeks. He has played in nearly every match so far, so it’s no surprise that he has likely accumulated a few knocks along the way.
Bukayo Saka remains out as he recovers from his thigh injury while Max Dowman still has two matches left on his red card ban for violent conduct against Fleetwood Town.
OUT: Bukayo Saka (thigh), Max Dowman (red card)
DOUBT: Ezri Konsa (knock)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Tzolis, Gyökeres, Madueke
LW: Christos Tzolis
The Greek winger returned to action last week after missing seven matches with a hamstring injury and looked surprisingly spry away at Anfield. He was a late sub against Slavia midweek and didn’t seem hard-pressed to do too much, seeing as he came on with the Gunners sitting on a 0-2 lead. At home against Hull City seems an ideal opportunity for another start, though Eberechi Eze looked really sharp on Wednesday. Tzolis had been the de facto LW before his injury, and I doubt that changes right now.
ST: Viktor Gyökeres
It took longer than we’d have liked, but Gyökeres has started to put the ball in the net, having scored twice in the last three matches. Not only that, but he has been showing levels to his game we didn’t see last season. His first touch has greatly improved, and he seems to be as comfortable playing facilitator as he has as a target man. His assist to Noni for the opener was quite nice, and his curler from close range was a much-needed confidence boost.
Kai Havertz was the difference maker at Anfield, but he seems to be far more effective in the “big” matches, while Viktor is quite good at playing the flat track bully. He deserves a shout against the Tigers following his MOTM display in Prague.
RW: Noni Madueke
The longer Noni plays, the better he seems to get. He can make you pull your hair out with some of his decisions, but he was a constant threat on Wednesday. He put his speed to excellent use on the opener and was a menace in the box all night with his ability to carry the ball to the touchline and cut it back into dangerous spots. He was unlucky to not register an assist after Merino couldn’t beat the keeper on a brilliantly placed cutback from Noni.
Midfield: Bruno, MLS, Ødegaard
CM: Bruno Guimarães
I’m going to make a bold call here and say that Bruno gets the start while Rice gets a rest. It’s practically unheard of for Arteta to keep Rice on ice, but he just played two full 90s this week and is the sort of player to run until his legs fall off. Bruno is far from the athlete Rice is, but he has immense quality progressing the ball. With MLS behind him to do the cleaning up, I think it’s a fair prediction and one that Arteta could feel inclined to make with a week off before next week’s trip to Newcastle.
CDM: Myles Lewis-Skelly
MLS was left on the bench against Slavia on Wednesday. His season has seen him become more and more central to Arteta’s plans, and even though he has been less involved in recent weeks, he has an immeasurably high ceiling. After having the night off in Prague, he should be fresh for a start at home.
CAM: Martin Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard came out of the gate hot this season and has maintained an exceptionally high level. His goal contributions have tapered off, but his influence and control are unparalleled. He came on for the final 20+ minutes in Prague and will undoubtedly take the pitch on Saturday to captain the reigning Premier League champions.
Defense: Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber
LB: Riccardo Calafiori
Piero Hincapie’s return has given Arteta the same luxury of rotation on the left that he has been enjoying on the right of the defense. Calafiori was surplus to demands midweek and enters the weekend ready to continue his excellent season.
LCB: Gabriel Magalhães
Sunrise. Sunset. Gabi leads the back line.
The King of Brazil was involved more than we probably would have liked on Wednesday as the Gunners let the hosts back into the match in the second half. He did, though, nearly make his mark when he nearly scored a third for the Gunners when he got his head on a ball in the box in the first half, but it was cleared off the line. Thankfully, he returned the favor in the second half on a hectic Slavia corner.
RCB: William Saliba
Welcome back, Wilo.
The (arguably) best center back in the world has returned to the side ahead of schedule from his lengthy layoff. While the Gunners have done well in his absence, he is simply incomparable. Paired with Gabi, they are the best defensive tandem in world football. Ezri Konsa has defied expectations and can now get a needed breather with Saliba back in the fold.
RB: Jurrien Timber
Timber was a late sub for Ben White on Wednesday as Arteta continues to rotate the two right backs. The Dutch right back has not quite been at his best, but even at 75%, he is one of the best defenders in the Prem.
Keeper: David Raya
He and the defense looked surprisingly nervy on Wednesday. Slavia threw a lot at them and they looked a little harried by the hosts as the match wore on, with one particularly comedic sequence in the second half where he and the defense did not seem to be on the same page on a Slavia corner where Raya was caught flapping at the ball twice. He was on course for yet another clean sheet before a stoppage time goal.
WHO: Arsenal vs Hull City
WHAT: Premier League match day 10
WHEN: Saturday, November 7th, 10:00am EST/7:00am PST/3:00pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast live on NBCSN and Telemundo. Streaming on the Peacock app.
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