Arsenal return from the international break with a home league game against Newcastle United on Monday night. The Gunners are currently occupying the fourth position in the standings with a slender two-point advantage over Manchester United and they will be aiming for another strong showing at the Emirates to enhance their pursuit of Champions League football for next season.
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Predicted Lineup:
Bernd Leno has been the first-choice when it comes to the league duties for most of the campaign and he should retain his position between the sticks for the Magpies clash.
In the defence, Unai Emery may stick with the same three-man backline from the previous league triumph over United. In this case, Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Nacho Monreal should make the cut with the latter recovering in time from a minor calf problem.
Ahead of them, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac should automatic pick themselves for the right and left wing-back positions and the pair have been hugely influential to the team’s showing since Emery’s decision to change the tactical system.
In central midfield, Aaron Ramsey should make the return after recovering from a minor thigh problem, although his partner Granit Xhaka requires a late fitness test to determine his fitness after an adductor problem. In such a case, Emery may not take risks and this could hand a maiden start for Denis Suarez as hinted by the manager himself.
In front of the pairing, Mesut Ozil should retain his number 10 position based on the recently improved form which has earned him starts in three successive games. Ahead of him, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette could be paired once more. Arsenal have remained unbeaten this term when the trio of Ozil, Aubameyang and Lacazette has started together.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Bernd Leno, Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Nacho Monreal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Aaron Ramsey, Denis Suarez, Sead Kolasinac, Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette
