
Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s last Premier League match of the season comes against Watford, and with little to play for but Watford’s fate, here is how they could line up.
Arsenal‘s beleaguering Premier League season is finally coming to an end with the “grand” finale against Watford. With the Gunners help in losing to Aston Villa, we now have the privilege of determining the fate of the Harts. If we beat them, there’s very little chance of them surviving.
So anyone who says there’s nothing to play for is full of it. We can relegate Watford, there aren’t many joys greater than that.
This is also Mikel Arteta‘s chance to stamp his new era on the season. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but a good old-fashioned blowout would be quite nice to end the season on, especially seeing as how we are coming off a really disheartening loss to Aston Villa.
But whatever ends up happening, it starts with the starting XI, and it’s going to be an interesting one. With the FA Cup Final a full week away, there’s no real need to rest anyone, though depending on Arteta’s plans for the future, he may go with a more youth heavy team if he’s expecting to lose some of the more senior players.
My eyes are primarily drawn up top to the striker situation and if he opts for Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah. Without wanting to read into it too much, it could be a statement decision hinting at the future of the striker position.
We don’t yet know what Lacazette’s future holds, but Nketiah’s is pretty clear.
On the injury side of things, there’s nothing much new. Reiss Nelson has to be assessed and Shkodran Mustafi is out, but other than that, it’s the same old, same old.
So let’s dig into the starting XI. No reason not to expect a 3-4-3, so let’s start in goal like always.
Keeper
Emiliano Martinez will cap off an impressive run in the starting XI with what will undoubtedly be another impressive performance. The big question is when we will see him in this capacity again for Arsenal, if we will see it again.
So enjoy it while you can.
Back three next.
Arsenal‘s beleaguering Premier League season is finally coming to an end with the “grand” finale against Watford. With the Gunners help in losing to Aston Villa, we now have the privilege of determining the fate of the Harts. If we beat them, there’s very little chance of them surviving.</p>
<p>So anyone who says there’s nothing to play for is full of it. We can relegate Watford, there aren’t many joys greater than that.</p>
<p>This is also <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d934d1e6/Mikel-Arteta?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mikel Arteta</a>‘s chance to stamp his new era on the season. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but a good old-fashioned blowout would be quite nice to end the season on, especially seeing as how we are coming off a really disheartening loss to Aston Villa.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Arsenal vs Villa Player Ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/21/arsenal-aston-villa-player-ratings/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/21/arsenal-aston-villa-player-ratings/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Arsenal vs Villa Player Ratings </a> </div>
</div>
<p>But whatever ends up happening, it starts with the starting XI, and it’s going to be an interesting one. With the FA Cup Final a full week away, there’s no real need to rest anyone, though depending on Arteta’s plans for the future, he may go with a more youth heavy team if he’s expecting to lose some of the more senior players.</p>
<p>My eyes are primarily drawn up top to the striker situation and if he opts for <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alexandre Lacazette</a> or <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a53649b7/Eddie-Nketiah?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eddie Nketiah</a>. Without wanting to read into it too much, it could be a statement decision hinting at the future of the striker position.</p>
<p>We don’t yet know what Lacazette’s future holds, but Nketiah’s is pretty clear.</p>
<p>On the injury side of things, there’s nothing much new. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c5bdb6e3/Reiss-Nelson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Reiss Nelson</a> has to be assessed and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3f2d59fe/Shkodran-Mustafi?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shkodran Mustafi</a> is out, but other than that, it’s the same old, same old.</p>
<p>So let’s dig into the starting XI. No reason not to expect a 3-4-3, so let’s start in goal like always.</p>
<h4>Keeper</h4>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=7956236f,52061089&search=Emiliano+Mart%C3%ADnez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Emiliano Martinez</a> will cap off an impressive run in the starting XI with what will undoubtedly be another impressive performance. The big question is when we will see him in this capacity again for Arsenal, <em>if</em> we will see it again.</p>
<p>So enjoy it while you can.</p>
<p>Back three next.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Back Three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-102711" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1253062136.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, David Luiz" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1253062136.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1253062136-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, David Luiz (Photo by Oli Scarff/Pool via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Back Three</h4>
<p>There’s only so many things Arteta can do here, so there isn’t that much to talk about. With Mustafi out and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3935e52e/Sead-Kolasinac?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sead Kolasinac</a> being weeded out of the starting picture, the rest fills itself in.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0e27d1a/David-Luiz?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">David Luiz</a> will start as the centermost centerback, where he’s been excelling lately. And also where he will hopefully be excelling come this time next year. He’s been quite good and as long as that confident run continues, we should feel pretty good about what he brings.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d79a8c87/Rob-Holding?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rob Holding</a> will be starting to his right. I’m a little wishy-washy on Rob Holding. He’s been good in bits, but I don’t think the back three is right for him. Too much ground to cover, too much need to move the ball himself. But I wouldn’t mind being proven wrong.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/fce2302c/Kieran-Tierney?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kieran Tierney</a> will round out the back three. He has to play every match and I don’t even care where. Put him anywhere.</p>
<p>Wingbacks coming up next.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Wingbacks </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103171" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254872322.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Hector Bellerin" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1254872322.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1254872322-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Hector Bellerin (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Wingbacks</h4>
<p>Feeling pretty confident about calling this position perfectly too. Even though <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/839c14e1/Cedric-Soares?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cedric Soares</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e3a5814e/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ainsley Maitland-Niles</a> have worked their way into starting consideration, the lack of fixtures means that we don’t need to rotate here. We should be more focused on keeping top form in our most important players.</p>
<p>That starts with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/f874dd44/Hector-Bellerin?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Hector Bellerin</a> starting on the right-hand side. He’s been gradually improving at the role, which is nice to see, and he’s certainly solidified himself as the preferred option, though Cedric is not making that easy on him.</p>
<p>On the left, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/bc7dc64d/Bukayo-Saka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bukayo Saka</a> will keep his job. He started here against Villa which would have otherwise worked if the match had gone according to play. Saka is best used as a wingback when we’re going to control possession, otherwise, he needs to be up top.</p>
<p>And that does it. On to the central midfield.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central Midfield </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103758" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1227685375.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Granit Xhaka" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227685375.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1227685375-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Granit Xhaka (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Central Midfield</h4>
<p>Really not much to say here either. With <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/5ea8ef20/Matteo-Guendouzi?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Matteo Guendouzi</a> out of the mix forever and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/52611641/Lucas-Torreira?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lucas Torreira</a> failing to impact when given the chance, there are only two guys that can fill out this role, both of whom will ideally be a part of the midfield next year too, just factor in <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/529f49ab/Thomas-Partey?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Thomas Partey</a>.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0617e2b/Dani-Ceballos?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dani Ceballos</a> will have what will ideally not be his last Premier League appearance. Having spoken up about his future at the club, there’s definitely optimism that he can stay around longer, but that’s not always such an easy feat when money is involved.</p>
<p>And despite some people’s persistence to hate <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e61b8aee/Granit-Xhaka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Granit Xhaka</a>, his absence in the first half against Villa was incredibly telling and should have reaffirmed what was already known—we need him. I hope it doesn’t take losing him to see that big picture.</p>
<p>Anyway, enough about what we already know. On to the front three.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-99493" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209962723.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1209962723.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1209962723-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>Front Three</h4>
<p>This is what we’re all here for right? Figuring out how Arteta will deploy the attack in the final Premier League match of the season. Really the only question comes from who starts at striker, since we can assume that <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d5dd5f1f/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a> will start on the left.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>There isn’t a lot of hope that Aubameyang can snag the golden boot, but weirder things have happened and it’s another side plot to entertain us.</p>
<p>In the meantime, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://fbref.com/en/players/57e3f0c7/Nicolas-Pepe?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Nicolas Pepe</a> will close out his first season on the right side. He’s been tremendous, whether you like it or not, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in his evolution at the Emirates.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 Things Learned Against Villa" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/21/arsenal-vs-aston-villa-5-things-learned-midtable-performance-midtable-team/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/25/arsenal-watford-predicted-xi/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/21/arsenal-vs-aston-villa-5-things-learned-midtable-performance-midtable-team/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 Things Learned Against Villa </a> </div>
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<p>Up top? It’s gotta be Eddie Nketiah. I get that Lacazette wants to start, and has been unhappy that he wasn’t starting, but let Nketiah close out the season when it looks highly likely that he’ll be the one to start next season.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">