Mikel Merino decision made as £200k-a-week star drops out: Arsenal predicted XI v Shakhtar Donetsk
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Arsenal will be eager to bounce back from their disappointing weekend result when they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday, a result which saw them slip to four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
However, Arsenal remain unbeaten in the Champions League and can take a step closer to the round of 16 should they overcome the Ukrainian champions.
Shakhtar are yet to win in the competition, failing to triumph in either of their opening games, and were beaten 3-0 by Atalanta last time out.
TBR Football looks at who Mikel Arteta could name in his starting XI for the 8pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal team news v Shakhtar Donetsk
Arsenal are likely to be without star forward Bukayo Saka and defender Jurrien Timber, both of whom missed training on Monday.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also injured, while Martin Odegaard is not expected back until after the November international break.
William Saliba is available for Tuesday night’s match, despite his red card against Bournemouth.
Shakhtar goalkeeper Tymur Puzankov, who is recovering an ACL injury, is the only absentee for the visitors.
Arsenal predicted XI
Arteta may well shuffle his pack somewhat after Saturday’s shock 2-0 loss on the south coast.
Arsenal’s back line is likely to be unchanged, with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori playing in front of David Raya.
The midfield could see some changes, because the trio of Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey didn’t function particularly well and struggled to gel.
With that in mind, Arteta could shift Kai Havertz further back to aid creativity and take Merino out of the XI, while Jorginho could replace the £200,000-a-week Partey.
Havertz’s move back from the front line could see Gabriel Jesus come in to lead the line.
With Saka not yet back in training, summer signing Raheem Sterling is likely to remain on the right.
Leandro Trossard had a poor game on Saturday, which could prompt Arteta to drop him to the bench and name Gabriel Martinelli on the left instead.
