Full-Back Fit To Return As Emery Makes 10 Changes | Expected Arsenal XI vs Liverpool

Arsenal will be looking to close-in on the top two with a win when Liverpool arrive at the Emirates on Saturday evening. Here is the side Gooner Mac thinks Unai Emery will select for the game:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech returned for the League Cup win over Blackpool but the 36-year-old wasn’t at his best and I think Emery will recall Leno against Liverpool as the German was in fine form during Cech’s absence.

Defence: Hector Bellerin is a doubt after picking up a thigh injury during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace so Stephan Lichtsteiner is on stand-by to continue at right-back if the Spaniard is ruled out.

Nacho Monreal is facing a race against time to prove his fitness but Sead Kolasinac is back in full training after recovering from a hamstring injury so he should be passed fit to return at left-back.

We should see changes in the middle of defence with Sokratis expected to be recalled after being rested in the Carabao Cup while Rob Holding may come in for Shkodran Mustafi as the German has played in the last two matches.

Midfield: Matteo Guendouzi is suspended after being shown two yellow cards in midweek but he was unlikely to start anyway as Lucas Torreira should be recalled in midfield while Granit Xhaka is also expected to come back in to the side with Ainsley Maitland-Niles making way after starting his first game since the opening weekend of the season. Mohamed Elneny is ruled out with a muscle issue.

Attack: Emery is set to make wholesale changes in attack with Mesut Ozil in-line for a recall after being rested against Blackpool. The German playmaker threw a tantrum after being subbed at Palace but Emery played down the incident after the game and Ozil is expected to start on Saturday.

Aaron Ramsey will be the man to make way as the Welshman has lost his first team place under Emery having been told he’s free to leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Alex Iwobi has been in fine form of late so I expect him to be recalled in attack following his sub appearance on Wednesday night with Henrikh Mkhitaryan dropping out after another disappointing performance in the League Cup.

Danny Welbeck also failed to take his chance against Blackpool so he’ll make way with Alexandre Lacazette being recalled up front while I think we’ll see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joining the Frenchman in attack. Emile Smith Rowe impressed against Blackpool but the teenager will drop out against Liverpool.

Here is how I think we’ll see Arsenal line-up:

CHECK OUT OUR PREDICTED LIVERPOOL XI HERE