Arsenal host Newcastle United as the two clubs resume league duties following two weeks winter break. Below, we look at how the Gunners could line up as Mikel Arteta gets to choose from an almost full-strength squad.
Defense
Bernd Leno has no competition in goal and rightly so as he has been Arsenal’s best and most consistent performer this season. At right-back, Hector Bellerin starts as he has since he made his return from injury with a goal against Chelsea last month.
Sead Kolasinac is fit again and will start at left-back.
The center backs should be the tried and tested duo of David Luiz and Sokratis.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka has proved to be undroppable since Mikel Arteta came in as the manager. The Swiss midfielder plays like an extra left-back in Arteta’s system which allows Kolasinac and Bukayo Saka time and space to roam forward.
His partner should be the reliable Lucas Torreira who has is the most switched on midfielder defensively in the entire Arsenal squad. Ahead of the two, Dani Ceballos should play. He has not featured for the team in the league due to an injury but he is finally fit again and ready to contribute.
Attack
Arteta needs to make a decision here. The attack has not been functioning well and a few stars need to be dropped. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is the captain of the team and will start in the striking role.
On the left, Arsenals player of the month for January Gabriele Martinelli starts while Nicholas Pepe covers the right-wing. This means that Alexandre Lacazette drops to the bench as he should have a long time ago.
Starting XI: Leno, Bellerin, Kolasinac, Luiz, Sokratis, Xhaka, Torreira, Ceballos, Pepe, Martinelli. Aubameyang.