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[Image] How Arsenal should line-up vs Sheffield Utd: Bellerin starts, Xhaka axed

By on October 20, 2019

kieran tierney arsenal

Arsenal can move third in the Premier League table with a win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Monday night. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Leno

Martinez hasn’t let us down when he’s played and I do think he’s good competition for Leno but I’d stick with our number one tomorrow night.

Defence: Bellerin, Sokratis, Holding, Tierney

It’s time to see our best back four deployed as all the players are now fully fit. Tierney should definitely start at left-back as he’s looked superb during his three appearances so far and is a big upgrade on Kolasinac.

Emery is being tipped to leave Bellerin out with Chambers likely to start at right-back but I don’t see any reason why Hector shouldn’t make his first league start of the season. He might not be 100% match fit but even Bellerin at 50% is better than anything else we’ve got!

I also expect Arsenal to line-up with Luiz and Sokratis in the middle of defence tomorrow but I’d like to see Holding given his chance as I think he’s a far safer bet than Luiz. Holding provides a calm presence at the back – which is something we desperately need.

Midfield: Torreira, Guendouzi, Willock

I’ll say it again; Arsenal are far better off without Xhaka in midfield! Yes, he’s tidy in possession but he’s a total liability when we don’t have the ball and we look a lot more balanced with Torreira as the defensive midfielder.

hector-bellerin-arsenal-2018

No doubt Emery will stand by his ‘captain’ but I’d love to see us go with Guendouzi and Willock in-front of Torreira. That midfield has bags of energy and quality but unfortunately I think Xhaka will keep his place once again.

Attack: Ceballos, Pepe, Aubameyang

Lacazette is set to return to the squad but he might only be fit for a place on the bench after missing the last seven matches with an ankle injury. Hopefully he gets some minutes tomorrow but I wouldn’t risk him from the start. Therefore, Aubameyang should continue to lead the line up front for Arsenal and hopefully he carries on his sensational form in front of goal.

This is going to be a tricky away game so I’d actually like to see Ceballos starting on the wing. He’s played there for Spain and he’d give Arsenal a bit more protection out wide, plus he’d help us retain the ball better.

Saka has obviously been impressing recently but I’d leave him on the bench as this will be a tough physical game for the youngster. Pepe is still acclimatising to life in England but I’d start him tomorrow and hope he can put in a morale-boosting performance.

Nelson has been ruled out for a few weeks with a knee ligament injury but Martinelli would be another option from the bench if needed.

This is the starting eleven I hope we’ll see from Arsenal:

football formations