Nuno Tavares keeps his place in the Arsenal starting lineup while Mikel Arteta has chosen Martin Odegaard over Alexandre Lacazette for the game against Newcastle United.
Mikel Arteta has set out a strong starting lineup against winless Newcastle United at the Emirates. The Arsenal boss has made just one change to allow Martin Odegaard a place in the starting lineup. The rest of the side remains unchanged as Nuno Tavares, and Albert Sambi Lokonga keep their respective spots.
Aaron Ramsdale continues as the club’s firm choice between the sticks, while Takehiro Tomiyasu starts at right-back. He has the company of Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
Arteta has surprisingly decided to retain Nuno Tavares at left-back despite Kieran Tierney’s availability. The Portuguese defender had endured a horror outing against Liverpool, making some costly errors.
Arteta has decided to retain Albert Sambi Lokonga in central midfield despite the Belgian’s error-ridden performance against Liverpool last weekend. He is chosen ahead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who was expected to start against Newcastle. Thomas Partey keeps his place in the middle of the park.
?? Partey in midfield
?? Odegaard comes in
??????? ESR startsLet’s go, Gooners! ?#ARSNEW pic.twitter.com/4Hsh8KOaqY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 27, 2021
Arteta has rung in a single change in the attacking side of things. Martin Odegaard is preferred over the robust Alexandre Lacazette, who had been solid in several games recently. The Norwegian playmaker had been knocking on the door for quite some time and finally gets his chance.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe keep their places as the wide-attackers for Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hoping to inspire the team by leading from the front. Nicolas Pepe and Lacazette are only fit for a role on the bench. They are joined there by Tierney and others.
Arsenal Starting Lineup: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Partey, Lokonga, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang
