(4-2-3-1) Nwaneri replaces injured Bukayo Saka”, predicted Arsenal line up vs Ipswich – As Arteta vows to give two youngster a starting role in the XI

Arsenal are set to continue their Premier League campaign with a home fixture against Ipswich Town on Friday, aiming to capitalize on their recent resounding victory over Crystal Palace. The Gunners, after frustrating draws against Fulham and Everton, rediscovered their attacking prowess in a dominant 5-1 away win. This result not only narrowed the gap to second-placed Chelsea to just two points but also extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run across all competitions to an impressive ten games.

However, the victory at Selhurst Park was soured by a hamstring injury sustained by key player Bukayo Saka. The England international was forced off the pitch after just 24 minutes, immediately raising concerns within the Arsenal camp. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his worries after the match, and subsequent scans have confirmed that Saka will be sidelined for a significant period, ruling him out for the entire Christmas schedule at a minimum.

“It’s not looking good. He’ll be out for many weeks,” Arteta confirmed during a press conference on Monday, delivering a blow to Arsenal’s attacking options. Saka’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, as he has been a consistent source of creativity and goals for the Gunners.

Leandro Trossard replaced Saka during the Crystal Palace game, with Gabriel Martinelli shifting to the right wing to fill the void. Arteta has also hinted that Kai Havertz and young talent Ethan Nwaneri could be considered as potential replacements for Saka in the upcoming fixtures. This suggests that Arteta is willing to give opportunities to younger players to step up in Saka’s absence.

Adding to Arsenal’s injury woes, another potential replacement, Raheem Sterling, has also been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in training last week. Arteta confirmed that Sterling is expected to be out for several weeks, with further tests scheduled to determine the full extent of the injury. This double injury setback presents a significant challenge for Arteta in terms of squad selection.

Despite these setbacks, there are some positive aspects for Arsenal. In attack, Gabriel Jesus is expected to retain his starting position after an impressive run of form, scoring five goals in his last two appearances. His goal-scoring ability will be crucial for Arsenal in Saka’s absence.

Kai Havertz could once again feature in a deeper midfield role, as he did last week, partnering with the returning Declan Rice. Rice, who came off the bench to score against Palace, is likely to replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield. This potential change suggests that Arteta is carefully managing Partey’s workload to prevent further injuries, especially with the busy schedule ahead.

The predicted lineup with Nwaneri replacing Saka in a 4-2-3-1 formation signals Arteta’s willingness to trust in youth. Nwaneri’s inclusion would provide him with valuable first-team experience and showcase the talent emerging from Arsenal’s academy.

The match against Ipswich Town presents an opportunity for Arsenal to solidify their position near the top of the table. However, without Saka and Sterling, the team will need to adapt and find new ways to create scoring opportunities.

Arteta’s tactical adjustments will be crucial in this regard. The manager will need to find the right balance between attack and defense to overcome Ipswich Town.

The absence of key players also presents a challenge for the rest of the squad to step up and take responsibility. Players like Martinelli, Jesus, and Havertz will need to play key roles in attack.

The match against Ipswich will be a test of Arsenal’s squad depth and character. The team will need to demonstrate their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

The focus will be on securing another three points and maintaining their momentum in the Premier League.

The inclusion of Nwaneri also signals a positive message about Arsenal’s youth development program. It shows that the club is committed to giving opportunities to young players who have the potential to become future stars.

The Arsenal faithful will be hoping for a strong performance against Ipswich Town, despite the injury setbacks. They will be eager to see how the team adapts and which players step up in the absence of Saka and Sterling.