Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sevilla - Champions League
- Arsenal have two wins from their first three Champions League games & beat Sevilla 2-1 in October
- The fitness of Gunners captain Martin Odegaard remains a mystery
- Mikel Arteta has a handful of injury concerns to deal with
By Tom Gott
Mikel Arteta may be looking forward to a night without Premier League referees as he prepares to welcome Sevilla to the Emirates Stadium in the fourth round of Champions League fixtures.
The Gunners boss was explosive in his criticism of the officials after his side fell to their second defeat in a row against Newcastle United at the weekend, but he cannot afford to dwell on the perceived injustice for long.
Here's how Arteta could set up for the visit of Sevilla.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sevilla (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - Raya may have tested Arteta's faith again with a poor moment against Newcastle but the Spaniard appears to be the preferred starter at this point.
RB: Ben White - Sevilla can pose real problems out wide so Arteta will need White to be switched on in the right-back role throughout.
CB: William Saliba - Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri is in impressive form heading into this game. Arteta will task Saliba with going toe-to-toe with the powerful Morocco international, but he may need some help from his centre-back partner.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - If Gabriel and Saliba can do a job on En-Nesyri, Arsenal's chances of winning will fly up dramatically.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - It's Takehiro Tomiyasu who has been getting the nod recently but this may be the time to bring Zinchenko back into the fold.
DM: Jorginho - Jorginho may not have impressed Newcastle skipper Jamaal Lascelles at the weekend, but he's likely to continue in midfield while Arsenal remain without so many key players.
CM: Declan Rice - Thriving in this advanced role, Rice has been key to Arsenal's fortunes this season and needs to continue leading by example.
CM: Fabio Vieira - With Martin Odegaard's fitness a mystery after he was left out against Newcastle and Kai Havertz perhaps needing a moment to cool off after a feisty outing at St James', Arteta may turn to Vieira.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Surprisingly quiet at the weekend, Saka will be as keen as anyone to atone for his poor outing.
ST: Eddie Nketiah - Gabriel Jesus, the hero from October's meeting between these two, remains out through injury.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli - Arteta has to decide between the Brazilian and Leandro Trossard for this role, and you can expect him to turn to the former.
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