Gyokeres decision, back four dream and midfield masterclass - Arsenal line-ups vs Liverpool

football.london's reporters give their thoughts on how Mikel Arteta should line-up his Arsenal side ahead of Premier League clash with Liverpool

Arsenal take on Liverpool in the Premier League with a great chance to tick off one of their trickiest fixtures that remains this season. Having played Aston Villa twice already, a win here in the second meeting with the Reds to maintain their buffer at the top of the table would be huge.

Mikel Arteta has been able to rotate some of his squad as they beat Bournemouth at the weekend, and have benefited from an extra day’s rest compared to Arne Slot, who watched his side painfully concede late on at Fulham on Sunday.

There are also perhaps some significant selection decisions to be made with players returning and others pushing to start. Thankfully, football.london’s writers are on hand to provide their thoughts on who should start for the Gunners this midweek evening:

Tom Canton

There is such a positive feeling about Arsenal going into this game with the players in great form, beating some of the best sides home and away, while their opponents, Liverpool, continue to struggle. The players have motivation beyond just the title, having been beaten by the Reds earlier in the campaign.

They were missing several of the players who could be involved on Thursday night, however, including a fully fit and in-form Martin Odegaard. While Piero Hincapie is yet to face the Merseyside club either having joined on deadline day.

Both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were rested from the starting eleven against Bournemouth, and there could be a fresher feel to the Gunners than their counterparts, who are without some big influences like Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and potentially Hugo Ekitike.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Liverpool: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Ryan Taylor

Providing there is no unexpected injury twists, I'm anticipating just two changes from Mikel Arteta.

David Raya is between the sticks with Piero Hincapie remaining at left-back. William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber complete the backline.

Then in midfield, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are in form so it makes no sense to disrupt the trio's impressive rhythm.

That's obviously assuming Rice's knee is fine, and there's been no reaction post-Bournemouth.

In attack, I'm backing Leandro Trossard to come back in for Gabriel Martinelli with Bukayo Saka also replacing Noni Madueke on the right.

I still think Viktor Gyokeres will start, even though there's definitely a strong chance Mikel Merino could lead the line.

Taylor's Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres