Arsenal can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points if they beat Luton this evening. Mikel Arteta will potentially consider up to five changes ahead of a busy schedule for his side. Express Sport looks at the predicted XI he could pick at Kenilworth Road.
Goalkeeper – Raya
David Raya will be disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet on Saturday. He could do nothing about Matheus Cunha’s fine left-footed strike, though.
The Spaniard was generally very efficient and is starting to prove why Arteta has picked him ahead of Aaron Ramsdale. There is no way back for Ramsdale unless Raya gets injured or suspended.
Defence – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko
Arteta may consider a couple of changes in defence. Ben White will likely come back in for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who limped off at the weekend.
A second change may occur at left-back, with Jakub Kiwior pushing for a start. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s error led to Cunha’s goal on Saturday but Arteta may opt to stay with the Ukraine star as dropping him now could dent his confidence.
Arteta will also need Zinchenko at his best against Aston Villa this weekend, so he may give him a chance to redeem himself tonight. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should continue in the middle of defence, with a rest on the horizon in the dead rubber against PSV Eindhoven next week.
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Midfield – Rice, Odegaard, Havertz
Kai Havertz was surprisingly left out for Leandro Trossard against Wolves. The German had scored two in his last two and could come straight back in this evening.
Arteta may think about bringing in Jorginho, who hasn’t started any of the last three. However, Arsenal have been more free-flowing without the Italian, who could be held back for the trip to Villa Park.
Declan Rice has been used as the main No 6 in Jorginho’s absence. He will start again, with skipper Martin Odegaard making up the midfield three.
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Attack – Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Arteta will be wary of Saturday evening’s match at Villa and will want his first XI available. He could therefore consider resting one or two of his front three.
Eddie Nketiah hasn’t started a league match in over a month, while Trossard will be hoping to get a spot further forward. But both Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli were taken off against Wolves, perhaps to preserve them for this evening.
It has been so rare for Arteta to have Jesus, Martinelli and Bukayo Saka all fit at the same time. He may continue to pick them while they are available.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Luton in full: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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