Arsenal predicted line-up v Leeds: 11 changes as Arteta unleashes ‘extraordinary’ talent

Tue 26 October 2021 13:30, UK

Arsenal will hope to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday as they prepare to face Leeds at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are in good form going into the fourth-round clash against Marcelo Bielsa’s charges.

Arsenal are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, and ran out 3-1 winners over Aston Villa in their last match.

Leeds, meanwhile, played out a 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend.

The Whites have won just two games in 90 minutes this season, at home to Watford in the Premier League and Crewe in the Carabao Cup.

Both sides are likely to ring the changes.

With that in mind, who could Mikel Arteta pick in the Arsenal starting XI?

In goal, Arteta is likely to give Bernd Leno a start, while Aaron Ramsdale – who has become Arsenal’s first-choice – should get a rest.

Kieran Tierney missed Friday’s win with an ankle problem, Nuno Tavares taking his place at left-back.

Given Tierney has a fitness issue and Tavares is his deputy, we predict Arteta could give Sead Kolasinac a rare start.

The defender – who former teammate Dennis Aogo deemed a “machine” – is surplus to requirements at the Emirates and likely to leave next year.

However, it makes sense to play him against Leeds so as to rest Tierney and keep Tavares fresh.

Elsewhere in defence, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding could feature at centre-back, while Cedric Soares could replace Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back.

Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga could also be rested, with Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles starting in midfield.

We predict further widescale changes up front, especially given Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off with cramp on Friday.

Nicolas Pepe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli could make up the attacking midfield three, with Eddie Nketiah leading the line.

The 22-year-old – who Arteta – has struggled for game time this season, but he did well in his last outing.

Nketiah scored in the 3-0 win over Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third-round, and has looked bright in training as well as in pre-season.