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[Image] Tomiyasu returns – My Arsenal line-up vs Leicester

By on March 12, 2022

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Arsenal will be looking to tighten their grip on fourth spot with a win over Leicester City at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. This is the line-up I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

There will be no change in goal as No.1 Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place ahead of Bernd Leno. Kieran Tierney has been quietly going about his business at left-back this season but it sounds like Arteta may be wanting more from the Scottish international going forward. Anyway, Tierney should keep his place with Nuno Tavares among the subs.

Ben White and Gabriel have formed an excellent partnership at the heart of Arsenal’s back four so Rob Holding will have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been working on his fitness in training as he looks to return from a niggling calf injury. Arteta said at his press conference on Friday that it looked as though Tomi would be fit to face Leicester. If that’s the case, then he should be recalled to start at right-back.

Obviously Arsenal shouldn’t take any risks with the 23-year-old as it’s not worth risking a set-back, but it Tomiyasu is deemed fit then he should start as he’s been a big miss at right-back. If he’s not 100%, then Cedric Soares can keep his place.

Smith Rowe misses out

emile smith rowe arsenal

In midfield, I don’t see any need to change things as it’s been working well lately. Thomas Partey has been bossing games in a deeper holding role while Granit Xhaka has done a decent job in a more unfamiliar ‘No.8’ position lately.

Martin Odegaard has been outstanding over the past few games in a slightly deeper role so obviously he should keep his place. That means Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mo Elneny will be on the bench again.

Emile Smith Rowe will return to the squad after missing Arsenal’s win at Watford due to covid. However, I think he’ll have to settle for a place on the bench as I don’t see how we can fit him in to the starting eleven right now.

Gabriel Martinelli scored another fine goal at Watford and deserves to keep his place while Bukayo Saka is in terrific form as well. So Smith Rowe will have to be a sub along with Nicolas Pepe.

Up front, Alexandre Lacazette still isn’t much of a goal threat but he proved his worth after setting up two goals against Watford. The Frenchman is doing a job and it seems to be working for the team, so let’s not mess with it.

Here is the side I hope we see:

football formations

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