Arsenal name an unchanged lineup to face Leeds United as Alexandre Lacazette keeps the captain’s armband for this fixture.
Arsenal have fielded a strong starting lineup against an injury-ravaged Leeds United side at Elland Road. The Gunners have named an unchanged side after securing a victory over West Ham United during midweek.
The backline remains the same, with Aaron Ramsdale the undisputed starter between the posts. He will have a reliable backline comprising Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney, that has kept two clean sheets in as many previous games, shielding him.
? Tonight’s team news…
We are unchanged from Wednesday's win ? #LEEARS pic.twitter.com/ISSiyT6I8e
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2021
Mikel Arteta has retained the central midfield pairing of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, who have started the last three Premier League games. Mohamed Elneny is an option from the bench. The same front four start against Leeds, as Arteta has decided to play Gabriel Martinelli despite the Brazilian being a fitness concern after the last game. Emile Smith Rowe is again named among the substitutes.
Bukayo Saka keeps his place on the right side of the attack. Martin Odegaard plays in the advanced midfield role behind leading man Alexandre Lacazette, who retains the captain’s armband.
Arsenal Starting Lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette.
