Arsenal team news: Predicted XI vs Ipswich as Mikel Arteta decides Bukayo Saka plan

Arsenal will be looking for another emphatic Premier League win at home to Ipswich on Friday night despite Bukayo Saka’s absence. This will be the first game of several that Saka will miss with a torn hamstring. Express Sport looks at how Arsenal could line up at the Emirates in their first match post-Christmas…

Goalkeeper: Raya

David Raya is firmly in the hunt for the Premier League Golden Glove, trailing leader Jordan Pickford (seven) by just one clean sheet.

Arsenal will view this match as a welcome opportunity to secure another shut-out with Ipswich having only scored 16 goals in 17 games.

Defence: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori

Three of the four defenders who started the win at Palace should keep their places. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will be Arsenal’s centre-back partnership for a third successive league match since the Brazilian’s return from injury.

And Jurrien Timber will keep his spot at right-back. At left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly could drop back to the bench in favour of Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italian completed his return from injury against the Eagles with a cameo as a substitute and produced an assist for Declan Rice’s late goal.

Midfield: Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard

Arteta benched Rice against Palace as the Gunners carefully manage the midfielder but he will surely return to the team here after scoring off the bench.

With the hosts expected to dominate possession, Jorginho could come back in in place of Thomas Partey to help set the tempo. Mikel Merino has struggled for form of late so will have to settle for a spot among the reserves.

Captain Martin Odegaard will be tasked with being Arsenal’s primary chance creator in the absence of Saka, who has 13 assists across all competitions.

Attack: Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus

Arteta’s biggest dilemma against Ipswich is to decide how he lines up in attack without Saka or back-up Raheem Sterling.

Gabriel Jesus has five goals in his last two matches from centre-forward but could be moved out to the left wing in a reshuffle. That would see Kai Havertz pushed back into the No.9 role from midfield.

Gabriel Martinelli could then be asked to fill in for Saka on the right after Arteta noted that he “did really well” in the position previously.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Ipswich Town (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus