Predicted Arsenal line-up vs Norwich City, Takehiro Tomiyasu returns

Arsenal travel to Carrow Road for the Boxing Day Premier League clash against Norwich City.

The Gunners have built momentum with three successive league wins. They recently reached the last four of the Carabao Cup with a convincing 5-1 victory over Sunderland.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his team can extend the fine form against the Canaries. The Gunners will be assured of the fourth spot until the New Year with another three points.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Aaron Ramsdale has established himself as the number one goalkeeper since September. The 23-year-old has kept an impressive eight clean sheets from 15 appearances. He is expected to replace Bernd Leno, who was handed a rare outing in midweek.

The defence could stay unchanged from the Leeds trip. Tomiyasu was substituted shortly after the hour mark against Leeds, but Arteta said that it was precautionary as he was not 100 percent fit. The Japan international could start his 16th straight game from right-back.

Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes have been the undisputed choices in central defence since the September international break. There are no question marks over their positions for the Norwich trip. Kieran Tierney should be another nailed-on starter.

The Scot was recently behind Nuno Tavares in the pecking order, but has redeemed himself after the latter’s inconsistent run of performances. Tierney has two assists this month, and will have his sights on making another goal contribution from left-back.

The upcoming game could be Thomas Partey’s final one before he reports for African Cup of Nations duty with Ghana. Hence, he should be a confirmed starter in the centre of the park alongside Granit Xhaka, who has played almost every minute since return from a knee injury against Everton.

Further forward, Arteta may have the temptation to pick Emile Smith Rowe, who has netted in his previous two appearances off the bench. However, the Spaniard may not tinker with a winning combination. Martin Odegaard should continue in the number 10 role ahead of the club graduate.

The Norwegian has had an excellent December with three goals and one assist. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also excelled from the wide attacking positions and should keep their places. Martinelli has six goal contributions in his last six top-flight appearances.

Up front, Alexandre Lacazette should lead the line once again. The Frenchman has been poor with his finishing lately, but he has still bagged one goal and two assists in his last three games. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may make the bench if he is recalled.

Eddie Nketiah scored his maiden hat-trick in the midweek triumph over the Black Cats, but he is unlikely to break into the starting XI. He could see more playing time next month with Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe unavailable due to African Cup of Nations duty.

How Arsenal could line up against Norwich City

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Read: Arsenal fans react to Carabao Cup semi-final draw vs Liverpool.