The games are coming thick and fast for Arsenal. A few days removed from recording a win over Wolves, Mikel Arteta’s side are back in action against Luton Town in the first of three successive fixtures away from home.
As December is a testing month, the Spaniard knows he has to make full use of his first-team squad and rotate where necessary. Having said that, his options are limited with Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe all sidelined while a decision will be made on Takehiro Tomiyasu following an injury scare.
With Manchester City being held at home at the weekend, the incentive for the Gunners to beat Luton is a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table – albeit potentially only for 24 hours as Liverpool travel to Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
Nevertheless, facing a newly promoted side is a game the north London outfit should be winning and Arteta has to get gets this line-up right to avoid being on the wrong end of a shock result. Thankfully for him, football.london’s writers are on hand to help and below is who they think should start for Arsenal against Luton.
Kaya Kaynak – Chief Arsenal Writer
There have been plenty of rumours linking Aaron Ramsdale with an exit. Even if I would want to see him stay at Arsenal, I wouldn’t bring him in for this match as David Raya has been great recently.
In defence, I wouldn’t take a single risk on Takehiro Tomiyasu, so it’s got to be Ben White alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. I also wouldn’t take any risks on Oleksandr Zinchenko, so I’m bringing Jakub Kiwior into the team at left-back.
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Declan Rice is a guaranteed pick at the base of the midfield. In front of him, I’m going for Martin Odegaard, of course, and alongside him in the left eight role I’m bringing Kai Havertz back in because his height could be useful against the Luton low block.
Up front, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are my picks on the wings, as they have the quality to open up space. Through the middle though I’m giving Gabriel Jesus a rest, and opting for Eddie Nketiah. This is the kind of opposition that he can punish with ease.
Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Luton: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne – Arsenal Writer
I guess aside from whether Takehiro Tomiyasu will be passed fit, the only other point of contention concerning the Arsenal team that should start against Luton Town is Oleksandr Zinchenko’s inclusion after his lapse of concentration at the weekend.
Whilst the mistake was costly, I think it would be a little harsh to drop the Ukraine international as a result, especially for a game like this where the Gunners are expected to dominate possession at Kenilworth Road and he will be key to unlocking their defence.
Having said that, I’m not taking any risks with Tomiyasu knowing trips to Villa Park and Anfield are on the horizon. Ben White is more than capable of slotting in at right-back alongside William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in front of David Raya.
Leandro Trossard seems to be in favour as the left-sided ‘8’ in midfield for games where Arsenal are tasked with breaking down a deep defensive block so I expect that to be the case on Tuesday night. However, I do think it would be wise to rest Gabriel Jesus for this one with Eddie Nketiah – who needs a goal – leading the line.
Deniran-Alleyne’s Arsenal XI vs Luton Town: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Trossard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
