(4-3-3) vs (4-2-3-1) confirmed Arsenal line up vs Inter – as Arteta starts Martin Ødegaard despite coming back from injury
(4-3-3) vs (4-2-3-1) confirmed Arsenal line up vs Inter – as Arteta starts Martin Ødegaard despite coming back from injury
Arsenal are in a bit of bother and their schedule certainly doesn’t ease up before the November international break.
Mikel Arteta will be keen to get out of an iconic European amphitheatre alive on Wednesday night after he oversaw a drab defeat at Newcastle on Saturday. The Spaniard will also have one eye on an impending London derby with Chelsea, and that may well affect his team selection for Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League bout with Inter.
The Gunners, given the strong start they’ve made to the competition, don’t necessarily have to win in Milan on Wednesday, but a hint of pressure has arrived at Arteta’s door following their recent domestic slide in the absence of captain Martin Odegaard.
With Odegaard back in full training and seemingly in contention again, here’s how Arsenal could line up against Inter.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Inter (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya – The Spaniard is yet to concede in this competition with Arsenal shutting out all three opponents thus far. Raya wasn’t particularly busy on Matchday 3 against Shakhtar Donetsk, but he did make a couple of strong saves late on to preserve his side’s advantage.
RB: Ben White – White dealt with a knock last week but was fit enough to earn minutes off the bench at Newcastle. Assuming he hasn’t suffered another setback, he should return to Arteta’s starting XI on Wednesday.
CB: William Saliba – The Frenchman is often praised for his performances on the big occasion, and Arsenal are going to need the very best iteration of their Rolls Royce here.
CB: Gabriel – Gabriel wasn’t at his dominant best on Saturday, and he’s going to be put to the test by an Inter side that can get at you in a myriad of ways. His box defending must be perfect against the Nerazzurri.
LB: Jurrien Timber – Riccardo Calafiori won’t return until after the international break and Arteta is not going to revert to Oleksandr Zinchenko on a night like this. Timber’s bound to continue at left-back.
CM: Mikel Merino – Declan Rice’s injury could prove decisive in Milan, with the England international also a doubt for the weekend. Mikel Merino, who has started the last three matches, will take his place in the XI.
CM: Thomas Partey – The midfielder is playing for a new contract and he’s re-emerged as an integral figure in Arsenal’s engine room. Partey’s been a constant in the Arsenal team this season and his defensive nous will be key in Rice’s absence.
CM: Kai Havertz – Arteta should tinker with his midfield configuration before Odegaard marks his return from injury. We could see Havertz, who’s veered away from central positions in recent outings, drop deeper in a bid to aid the Gunners against a superb Inter midfield.
RW: Bukayo Saka – If there’s one more capable of rekindling Thierry Henry’s spirit from November 2003, it’s this man. Saka is the Arsenal superstar the Inter backline must pay close attention to.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Jesus captained the Gunners on Matchday 3 of the league phase and was back among the goals last week against Preston. The Brazilian was excellent in the Champions League last season, and he could get a chance to build on his long-awaited goal on Wednesday night.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Arteta’s options don’t appear too inspiring down the left with Martinelli once again struggling for form. Leandro Trossard has failed to inspire, while Raheem Sterling seemingly hasn’t garnered the faith of the manager.
