Arsenal are without the injured Bukayo Saka for the visit of Ipswich Town (Image: GETTY)
will be looking for another emphatic win at home to on Friday night despite ‘s absence. This will be the first game of several that Saka will miss with a torn hamstring. Express Sport looks at how could line up at the Emirates in their first match post-Christmas…
Goalkeeper: Raya
David Raya is firmly in the hunt for the Golden Glove, trailing leader Jordan Pickford (seven) by just one clean sheet.
will view this match as a welcome opportunity to secure another shut-out with Ipswich having only scored 16 goals in 17 games.
Defence: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Three of the four defenders who started the win at Palace should keep their places. and Gabriel Magalhaes will be ‘s centre-back partnership for a third successive league match since the Brazilian’s return from injury.
And Jurrien Timber will keep his spot at right-back. At left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly could drop back to the bench in favour of .
The Italian completed his return from injury against the Eagles with a cameo as a substitute and produced an assist for ‘s late goal.
Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice should both return to the starting XI (Image: GETTY)
Midfield: Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard
Arteta benched Rice against Palace as the Gunners carefully manage the midfielder but he will surely return to the team here after scoring off the bench.
With the hosts expected to dominate possession, Jorginho could come back in in place of Thomas Partey to help set the tempo. Mikel Merino has struggled for form of late so will have to settle for a spot among the reserves.
Captain will be tasked with being ‘s primary chance creator in the absence of Saka, who has 13 assists across all competitions.
Gabriel Martinelli could start at right wing for Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Attack: Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus
Arteta’s biggest dilemma against Ipswich is to decide how he lines up in attack without Saka or back-up .
has five goals in his last two matches from centre-forward but could be moved out to the left wing in a reshuffle. That would see pushed back into the No.9 role from midfield.
could then be asked to fill in for Saka on the right after Arteta noted that he “did really well” in the position previously.
predicted XI vs Ipswich Town (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus