[4-3-3]: 16-year-old starts in a crucial position, Odegaard and Lewis-Skelly’s position changed- Arsenal predicted lineup against Brentford as Mikel Arteta confirms numerous changes to the squad
Myles Lewis-Skelly will hope to keep his place when Arsenal head to Brentford on New Year’s Day.
The teenager has started the last three Premier League games for the Gunners and completed 90 minutes during Friday’s win over Ipswich.
Mikel Arteta has six players fit that can play at left-back, including the returning Riccardo Calafiori, but he may opt to stick with Lewis-Skelly given his fine form.
The rest of the defence is settled and should remain the same, with Jurrien Timber cementing his spot as Arsenal’s right-back in the absence of Ben White.
Kai Havertz has started and scored when playing in midfield in each of Arsenal’s last two games, however Arteta may look to change it for this trip to Brentford.
The Bees are a physically imposing side and they also boast an impressive home record, which could lead Arteta to look for more solidity in midfield.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard will certainly play, but it may be that they are joined by Thomas Partey or Mikel Merino instead of Havertz.
The German will hope to keep his place, though, and could be moved up front in place of Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian scored five goals in two games against Crystal Palace earlier this month, but he drew a blank at home to Ipswich.
Jesus could play out wide on the right in the absence of Saka, although Gabriel Martinelli started there last time out.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Injured: Saka (hamstring), Sterling (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)
Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Calafiori, Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Havertz, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Martinelli and Trossard.
