Arsenal will be aiming for a turnaround when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup. The Gunners are experiencing a rough patch in the Premier League, having failed to win in their last two matches. However, they have performed well in the cup matches so far, retaining a 100% winning record in both domestic and European competitions.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are coming on the back of a narrow 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur and are likely to deploy a ‘B’ team as they look to keep their squad fresh ahead of their travel to Villa Park on the weekend.
Here is how Arsenal may line up in this fixture.
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence
Unai Emery is in a lot of pressure, and a win against Liverpool could serve as a massive boost. Hence, we are likely to see Hector Bellerin returning to the side at right-back, replacing Calum Chambers. Kieran Tierney could also start ahead of Sead Kolasinac, despite having featured in the draw with Crystal Palace.
Emery, however, is expected to shuffle the central defence, with Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding coming in at the expense of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz. This would be a considerable test for these two defenders, who are supposedly a part of Arsenal’s ‘B’ team. A solid defensive display would help either of these two defenders make a push for the first-team, especially with Luiz struggling.
Bernd Leno, on the other hand, will make way for Emiliano Martinez in goal. The Argentine will be hoping for an improved display after stuttering against Vitoria Guimaraes last week.
Midfield
Joe Willock is expected to return in midfield in place of club captain Granit Xhaka, who got booed by the Arsenal fans on the weekend. The young Englishman will be partnered by Lucas Torreira, who, in turn, will come in for Matteo Guendouzi in central midfield, thus forming the double-pivot.
Attack
Alexandre Lacazette is likely to get a breather, paving the way for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lead the Arsenal attack. Nicolas Pepe will partner him in the expected 4-4-2.
We could also expect youngsters like Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka to start. This would be an ideal platform for them to prove their talent, especially against an opponent like Liverpool. Emile Smith Rowe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will provide Emery will additional options, though neither of them are likely to start.
