Raya dropped, Ramsdale starts: Predicted Arsenal team vs Sevilla
The Gunners will have a major opportuinity to move one step closer to securing a place in the Champions League knock-out stages when they welcome Sevilla to the Emirates stadium on Wednesday evening.
At this point, it is clear that David Raya – who is practically averaging an error per game – has to either improve and do so very quickly, or have his spot filled by someone else. With this match being a non-league affair, it would be a decent chance to give Ramsdale another chance, considering the way that Raya’s frequent errors are beginning to cost the team. Arteta is known to like some rotation when it comes to midweek cup games and this may be the idle ocassion for a change in goal.
The rest of the defence essentially picks itself as Gabriel and Saliba ready themselves for another tough show. With that said, Zinchenko – a man who has been underperforming in recent weeks – is likely to sit out for Tomiyasu while Ben White – who has not covered himself in glory in the last two games – might be a little fortunate to not be given a break on the bench.
Odegaard’s injury should see Trossard finally get the chance to feature in the creative number 10 position while Rice and Elneny – who deserves a shot at the ‘Xhaka role’ considering the relative failures of Jorginho, Havertz, etc in there – provide protection behind him.
Upfront, this should be the game where Havertz finally gets another crack at the number 9 job; the only position where he has looked anything close to effective so far in his Arsenal career, while Saka and Martinelli maintain their usual spots.
PREDICTED TEAM
Ramsdale
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Tomiyasu
Rice – Elneny
Trossard
Saka – Havertz – Martinelli
Nice onw