Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal squad to finish the Premier League campaign strongly in order to secure a place in Europe next season.
The Gunners are currently ninth in the table with nine games remaining, the first of which is against Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday evening.
Although finishing in the top four will be a tall order for Arsenal given they are nine points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, they could make a late charge for the Europa League spots.
“We know that if we want to climb the table and have a chance to be in Europe next season through the Premier League, we need some consistency now in the last nine games,” Arteta acknowledged.
“We need to get on a run of winning matches and the only way to do it is to start against Liverpool. We don’t have any margin and we have to win that game.”
Arteta has a few injury issues to contend with at the top end of the pitch as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Willian are all doubts to face the reigning champions.
Mari to make way?
Arsenal gave a spirited showing in their last game before the international break, coming from three goals down to draw 3-3 against high-flying West Ham at the London Stadium.
Nevertheless, their defensive performance, particularly in the early stages, left plenty to be desired and Arteta may opt to make changes in that area of the pitch.
Gabriel Magalhaes was left on the bench for that game with Pablo Mari preferred in the left-sided centre back role and he may be reintroduced against Liverpool alongside David Luiz.
Kieran Tierney is in good form, as shown by his hat-trick of assists for Scotland against Faroe Islands on Wednesday, while Calum Chambers should keep his place after delivering a man-of-the-match display against West Ham from right back.
Pepe to replace injured Saka?
Saka has been struggling with a persistent hamstring injury over the past few weeks and was forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s England squad because of it.
Arteta was coy on Saka’s potential involvement saying: “He’s feeling better but hasn’t trained with the team yet.”
Should Saka fail to recover in time, Nicolas Pepe could be drafted into the starting XI after making a positive impact off the bench against West Ham by providing the assist for Alexandre Lacazette’s equaliser.
Lacazette has been in good form of late, scoring three goals in his last four Premier League appearances and should retain his place up front, with Martin Odegaard pulling the strings from a No 10 position.
That means Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to stay on the left wing despite a subdued showing last time out which saw him substituted as Arsenal sought an equaliser.
How Arsenal could line up (4-2-3-1): Leno; Chambers, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Pepe, Odegaard, Aubameyang; Lacazette
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