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[Image] Bellerin & Martinelli start: The Arsenal line-up Arteta should pick vs Leeds

By on January 5, 2020

gabriel martinelli 2019

Arsenal take on Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday night. Here is the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

Bellerin returns

Hector Bellerin has been back in full training after recovering from a troublesome hamstring injury. The club say he’ll be assessed ahead of the game tomorrow but he should be fit to return at right-back and it will be important he gets 90 minutes under his belt.

Rob Holding is also set to return after being named on the bench for the win over Manchester United last week and he should partner Shkodran Mustafi in the middle of the back four with Sokratis and David Luiz rested.

Kieran Tierney is still injured and Sead Kolasinac limped off during Arsenal’s win against Man Utd with an ankle issue so he should be given the night off. Therefore, Bukayo Saka can return to deputise at left-back against Leeds.

I expect Arteta to make plenty of changes in midfield so Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira will be rested after playing superbly well against United. Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock should start in midfield together.

Ceballos fit

Dani Ceballos is also in-line for a recall after recovering from a hamstring injury that’s kept him out for almost two months so I hope we see him getting a start tomorrow as he needs some minutes to improve his match fitness.

Mesut Ozil will hopefully get a rest following another impressive display during Arsenal’s win over Man Utd while I hope Arteta also gives Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the night off as we need to protect him as much as possible.

The boss has suggested Alexandre Lacazette needs a breather so hopefully Gabriel Martinelli is fit to start up front. He’s back in full training after recovering from a knock so he should be in contention against Leeds.

Nicolas Pepe was excellent against United and there is a fair argument to suggest he should be rested but I’d like to see him getting a run of games to help build some momentum so I’d start him along with Reiss Nelson in attack.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations