Martinelli and Sokratis start, Predicted Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1) to face Bournemouth

Arsenal are scheduled to face Bournemouth away from home in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Monday evening. The Gunners have won just two games under the guidance of Mikel Arteta but there have been plenty of positives with the performances of several first-team stars.

The Vitality Stadium has not been a friendly ground for the Gunners with just one win from the previous four visits but Arteta would surely want his team to go for the victory, considering a replay for the tie would be played during the mid-season break.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Lineup:

Emiliano Martinez has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Cup competitions and the Argentine is expected to feature between the sticks ahead of Bernd Leno on Monday.

In the backline, Arteta may make the solitary change. Hector Bellerin and Bukayo Saka should continue in the full-back positions. At the heart of the defence, Sokratis, who has recovered from his illness, may replace the suspended David Luiz. Shkodran Mustafi should keep his starting spot alongside the Greek after a solid second-half display at Stamford Bridge following his blunder.

In the centre of the park, Granit Xhaka will definitely start and the same should be the case with Lucas Torreira. The likes of Matteo Guendouzi, Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos may participate off the bench but the focus could be on the latter, who has been fancied to end his loan spell with the club due to the lack of playing time.

In the attack, it should be more of the same from the midweek derby at Chelsea. Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe should play on either side of Mesut Ozil in the number 10 spot while Alexandre Lacazette should lead the line once more.

Lacazette has now gone eight matches without finding the net but Arteta has still been pleased with the Frenchman’s workrate and high pressing. The 28-year-old’s starting spot remains safe for the Cup tie with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suspended while Eddie Nketiah could be restricted to a substitute’s role at best.

Predicted Arsenal lineup to face Bournemouth