Arsenal will be keen to bounce back from the weekend’s disappointment when they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Gunners were reduced to ten men for the third time this season when they traveled to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, with William Saliba seeing red on this occasion. Unlike the draws with Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City earlier this term, Mikel Arteta’s side were punished by defeat for their lack of discipline on the south coast.
The home draw with Shakhtar Donetsk should be the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to get back on track despite injuries to some key personnel. However, Arteta may make some changes to his starting line-up, especially with the visit of Liverpool in the Premier League next weekend.
Here’s how arsenal could line up against Shakhtar.
GK: David Raya – Even if there are changes elsewhere in Arteta’s line-up, Raya is a certain starter. Despite conceding a penalty at the weekend in the defeat to the Cherries, there was very little support from his teammates at the Vitality Stadium.
RB: Ben White – The return of white is a welcome advantage for Arsenal, who have struggled with injuries in the full-back positions. With Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu likely to miss the week, the Englishman could be tasked with another start on Tuesday.
CB: William Saliba – The French defender was given his marching orders after just half an hour at the weekend but will be available for the Shakhtar clash. Given he will miss Sunday’s battle with Liverpool when he serves the sanction, Saliba will start during the week.
CB: Gabriel – Arteta has been loathe to rotate his centre-backs too often this season, with Saliba and Gabriel forming such an impressive partnership. They are likely to enjoy quieter evenings against Shakhtar than against Bournemouth.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori – The Italian was Arsenal’s best player in the weekend defeat and has proven to be a reliable left-back this season. Oleksandr Zinchenko could be used as a rotation option.
DM: Jorginho – Jorginho’s experience and reliability could be used by Arteta to give Thomas Partey a break. The Ghanaian has struggled with injuries in recent years and Arsenal must be careful to manage his workload.
CM: Declan Rice – If Rice is fit, he tends to play. The £105m man is such a constant and important presence in the center of the pitch, with Shakhtar’s selection of young and impressive attacking midfielders likely to keep him on his toes.
CM: Kai Havertz – Martin Odegaard’s absence has been sorely felt at Arsenal in recent weeks, although the results have been overwhelmingly positive. Havertz offers some of the Norwegian’s creativity in a deeper midfield role.
RW: Raheem Sterling – Sterling was unlucky to be sacrificed after Saliba’s red card at the weekend and should get more minutes on Tuesday. He will be looking to add to his solitary goal for Arsenal against Shakhtar.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Arteta has warned Jesus about his future at Arsenal as he continues his long wait for a goal. The Brazilian will be desperate to end his drought on Tuesday against favorable opposition.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – The Brazilian received a minor knock in the international squad and was only used as a substitute against Bournemouth. He has shown glimpses of his old self in recent games and will be eager to prove his worth once again.
