Emile Smith Rowe is in line to start, but Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a doubt for Arsenal as they gear up to face Liverpool in the Premier League.
Arsenal will be aiming to extend their winning run to six games in the Premier League when they lock horns with title contenders Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Manager Mikel Arteta has just one injury concern leading up to the game, as right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu is still not 100% fit. Providing an update on the Japanese international’s condition in his pre-match presser, the Arsenal boss said: “Tomi is the only one that’s still there in contention [to miss the game].
“We have been trying to push him, but with the handbrake a little bit because we need to be careful as we don’t want to get another injury with him. We don’t know [if tomorrow is too soon]. Let’s see how he trains today.”
There are unlikely to be many changes made to the side that saw off Leicester City over the weekend, with Aaron Ramsdale, who has been in fine form, lining up between the sticks. He will be shielded by the centre-back pairing of Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes. With Tomiyasu seemingly still not ready, Cedric should continue at right-back while Kieran Tierney is a certainty on the left.
Moving into the middle of the park, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have been in solid form of late, and Arteta is unlikely to tinker with that ahead of one of his team’s biggest tests of the season. Martin Odegaard, meanwhile, will be tasked with providing the creative impetus from the No. 10 role for Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka, who has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool, will continue operating on the right-wing for the Gunners and will be keen to make an impact. Alexandre Lacazette has been influential for Arsenal in recent games and should continue leading the line on Wednesday night.
However, there could be one change in the attacking third as Emile Smith Rowe could replace Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank after making his return from the sidelines in the win over Leicester. Nicolas Pepe will likely be used as an impact substitute.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Lacazette.