Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton: Champions League rotation in mind

Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Arsenal will travel to Liverpool this weekend to face Everton away from home. Goodison Park has been a hoodoo for Arsenal in recent times, but Mikel Arteta will aim for nothing except three points. Although, with the midweek Champions League fixture in mind, Mikel Arteta may need to think about rotating his squad. Therefore, here’s my Arsenal predicted lineup.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Everton

Fresh off his fourth England cap, Aaron Ramsdale will get the nod between the sticks. It remains to be seen who Arteta prefers as his Champions League goalkeeper, but domestically, Aaron Ramsdale has this spot nailed on.

I think that Ramsdale will be covered by a centre back pairing of Ben White and William Saliba for nothing other than rotational reasons. Gabriel is important for that Champions League fixture and given his injury scare, it’s best to rest him so he is prepared to play in midweek.

This leaves room at right-back for Takehiro Tomiyasu to come in and he’s in fine form, impressing on international duty. Of course, at left-back it will be Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has also had a good international break, scoring for Ukraine against England.

I expect it to be a routine midfield three of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. All three midfielders have had good international breaks and avoided injury. Mikel Arteta won’t want to dismantle his core.

On the right wing, it will be Bukayo Saka. As proven last season, he is rarely affected by squad rotation as he’s the most important player. Playing as a striker, Eddie Nketiah will get his fourth start in five Premier League matches as I would assume Jesus will play the Champions League fixture. Then, on the left, I think Leandro Trossard will be given a shot, purely for rotation reasons.

Arsenal predicted lineup: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Saliba, Zinchenko; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard