Arsenal team news as Arteta makes Saka return decision for Liverpool

Mikel Arteta will be forced to bench one of his in-form forwards; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard against Liverpool. All four players are in fine form and have a case to be in the starting line-up this afternoon at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Arteta may be able to call on the services of William Saliba, who is set to return to training soon. Here, Express Sport takes a look at the Gunners’ predicted line-up for their 4.30pm kick-off.

Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale

It is unlikely that Matt Turner will hoist Aaron Ramsdale out of his starting position between the sticks unless he picks up an injury on the day of the match. The English shot-stopper has started all 29 of Arsenal’s Premier League games and has been in sensational form this season, picking up 13 clean sheets.

Ramsdale will be hoping for a 14th tonight after being denied by a late strike from Rasmus Kristensen against Leeds last weekend.

Defence – White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko

It will likely be an unchanged back four from Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Leeds last weekend with Saliba still nursing a back injury. Arteta has suggested that the Frenchman may be available for the game at Anfield but probably won’t get rushed back into the starting line-up, meaning Holding will keep his place.

When asked about his injured players and specifically Saliba, the Gunners boss said: “No, no real changes with the rest of the players that were still injured. We have some hope with one of them who will maybe be able to train but we’ll see.”

Meanwhile, Ben White, Gabriel Megahales and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all expected to keep their places after solid performances last weekend.

Midfielders – Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard

Arsenal are also likely to remain unchanged in the centre of the park. Partey is back fully fit after having to sit out Ghana’s game against Angola last week and started against Leeds. Xhaka and Odegaard are also expected to keep their places in the side as two of the most influential players on the pitch.

Attack – Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Bukayo Saka didn’t start against Leeds due to a bout of illness but did come on in the second half and would of course be favoured to start against Liverpool now that he is feeling better. Two goals for Jesus last week mean he is likely to line-up down the middle. Meanwhile, Arteta will be forced to choose between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side with the Brazilian being the slightly more obvious choice.

Arsenal expected XI vs Leeds in full: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus