Friday, March 29, 2024

Martinelli starts, 8 changes: Arsenal’s likely line-up to face Leeds tomorrow

With no European football this season, Mikel Arteta will be keen to go as far as possible in the domestic cups, but with a tricky away fixture against Leicester City scheduled for Saturday lunchtime, the Mikel Arteta will need to find the right balance in his line up.

Have a look how I think we could line up for the game below. Disagree? Create your Arsenal XI at the bottom of this article.

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Leno is likely to come back in between the sticks. Ramsdale has been great, but Leno is still a very good keeper and will be keen to prove himself in the cup.

Defenders: Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, Nuno Tavares
With Tierney recently injured, it may be best to keep Tavares in and give him a run in the side. At the heart of defence, White and Gabriel would benefit from a break, whilst Tomiyasu could also do with the night off. Cedric or Chambers are likely to come in there.

Midfielders: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Nicolas Pepe, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli
Partey should be rested in this one, but Lokonga could benefit from another start to help him keep developing. Maitland-Niles could also be given an opportunity. Pepe, Odegaard and Martinelli all have great qualities, but they are currently out of the Premier League side and will be motivated to perform well in this one to try and win their places back.

Striker: Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette is starting to come back into the picture for Arteta and following a sub appearance and start last week, it would be good to keep the rhythm going with another start in this game. It would be good to get Balogun some game time here, but there’s also Eddie Nketiah to consider. One thing is for sure, rest Aubameyang.

How would you line up? Create your XI below and share it on social media!

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