Arsenal predicted lineup vs Ipswich - Premier League | OneFootball

A season-defining period beckons for Arsenal in the absence of their inevitable force down the right flank.

The Gunners have endured the odd week without their talismanic Hale End graduate but a torn hamstring means Bukayo Saka is set for a sustained period on the sidelines.

Saka has operated as a one-man attack for an occasionally stodgy Arsenal team this term, and their current deficit in the Premier League title race means Mikel Arteta has little time to stumble upon an optimal alternative in the absence of their superstar winger.

The north Londoners are still unbeaten post-November international break, but there's not yet been a semblance of unwavering positive momentum brewing at the Emirates. Still, Arsenal are expected to end the year on a high and enter 2025 well in the title discussion.

Here's how the Gunners could line up for Ipswich's visit on Friday night.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Ipswich (4-3-3)

Declan Rice impressed off the bench at Crystal Palace / Julian Finney/GettyImages

GK: David Raya - The Spaniard was forced into action much more than Arteta would've liked at the weekend, but Raya's shot-stopping ability eventually allowed the Gunners to cruise.

RB: Jurrien Timber - The boss must be concerned about his workload, but there are few right-back alternatives while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are absent.

CB: William Saliba - Saliba dipped below his typically imperious level at the weekend, so he'll be aiming to bounce back on Friday night. The return of Liam Delap gives the Frenchman something to consider.

CB: Gabriel - The absence of Saka will surely hurt Gabriel's set-piece output given the quality of the winger's in-swinging corner. Who's going to fill that void?

LB: Riccardo Calafiori - Harsh on teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, but Calafiori is a key cog in Arteta's framework and the Spaniard shouldn't hesitate in drafting him back into his XI after he made an appearance off the bench at Selhurst Park.

CM: Declan Rice - Rice will float between the #6 and #8 roles, and this feels like a game he'll drop into a deeper position after his excellent cameo on Saturday. The Gunners surely don't require Rice and a holding midfielder against Ipswich.

CM: Mikel Merino - With Rice occupying the base, there could be a recall for Merino, who has flattered to deceive since joining the club but doubtlessly has some value.

CM: Martin Odegaard - It's time for the skipper to shine. Saka took responsibility when Odegaard was out for two months in the autumn, and now the Nordic playmaker has to really prove his worth.

RW: Gabriel Martinelli - Arteta hinted that Martinelli will operate as the primary alternative in Saka's absence having played down the right at the weekend. Perhaps this increased responsibility will be tha making of the Brazilian, who's impressed in mere spurts this term.

ST: Kai Havertz - Havertz just doesn't work as a midfielder and Arteta will likely return him to a centre-forward position amid the Gunners' attacking reshuffle. The German did return to a Premier League scoresheet on Saturday.

LW: Gabriel Jesus - 'Tis the season for Jesus to shine, in fairness. After terrorising Crystal Palace last week, Jesus now has to prove that his productive couple of outings weren't merely down to an odd hatred of the south London club.