Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal team news vs Liverpool: Predicted line up – Ozil and Lacazette decisions, six out
ARSENAL manager Unai Emery has some serious selection decisions to make ahead of the Gunners' Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday (5.30pm).
Emery: Match against Liverpool will be a ‘good test’
Arsenal will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.
The Gunners were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Brighton last time out and have just one victory in their past four matches across all competitions.
**PREDICT FIVE RESULTS AND WIN £25,000 - FREE TO PLAY HERE**
Unai Emery is struggling to manage a serious injury crisis at the Emirates while under-performing stars are making team selection difficult.
Up to six first-team players are sidelined for the clash with Liverpool while another three are major doubts due to fitness problems.
Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil was hooked at half-time against the Seagulls and Alexandre Lacazette has not completed 90 minutes in the Premier League since the draw with Wolves in early November.
The French striker showed his frustration at another early bath on Boxing Day by throwing his gloves to the ground, and it remains to be seen whether Emery will start the 27-year-old against Liverpool.
Ozil is even less likely to feature from the off, having been ineffectual at the Amex.
When asked about his decision to sub the 30-year-old, Emery said: “Sometimes I change Aubameyang, Lacazette, Matteo [Guendouzi] every player it’s happened with.
“Sometimes the result is good, it’s for improving the result and other times it’s not.
“The decision is tactical.”
Alex Iwobi is first in line to replace the German, having been sent on in a straight swap last time out, while Aaron Ramsey could displace Lacazette.
Elsewhere, Shkodran Mustafi is nearing a return to full training but is still doubtful due to a hamstring problem.
Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal are also fitness worries, with the club captain subbed after a knock against Brighton.
Hector Bellerin (calf), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Rob Holding (knee) are all on the treatment table while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is out for six weeks with a broken metatarsal.
Emile Smith Row (groin) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) are also sidelined as Emery’s squad is stretched to breaking point.
Stephan Lichtsteiner is expected to be called upon at right-back while Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi should line up as a midfield trio.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Liverpool – Premier League
(4-3-2-1): Leno; Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Papastathopoulos, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Torreira, Xhaka; Ramsey, Iwobi; Aubameyang