Rob Holding and Pablo Mari start as Smith Rowe misses out - Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool

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 Arsenal will be hoping that they show their positive 'face' when Mikel Arteta's side face Liverpool on Saturday.

The Premier League match between the two sides provides another opportunity for the Gunners to close the gap on the Reds, as they aim to secure European qualification via finishing in the top six.

Arteta himself has already admitted that his side need to improve in several areas if they are to qualify for Europe, with nine games remaining in the league.

"One of them is related to the attention and focus that you need during the whole game," he said ahead of Saturday's match.

"For example, the way we conceded the second goal against West Ham, where we turned our backs on a free-kick close to our box, is something that we cannot do. It just gives a goal to the opponent.

"And there's also the other face, that we really like, the way the team played and reacted, the character we showed and the quality that we provided on the day to come back against a really good opponent from three goals behind."

There are a few selection worries for Arteta to contend with following the return of his players from international duty.

Bernd Leno will indeed continue in goal, but in defence David Luiz misses out with a knee injury.

The Brazilian is likely to be replaced by Rob Holding at centre back and he could be partnered by either Pablo Mari or Gabriel.

Cedric Soares continue to excel at right-back but Arteta has usually preferred Hector Bellerin in the big games this season.

Thomas Partey will start in central midfield but there are doubts over Granit Xhaka who missed training on Friday morning due to sickness.

If Xhaka isn't fit to play it's likely that Dani Ceballos will come into the team for him, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe facing late fitness tests ahead of the match.

Martin Odegaard is expected to continue in midfield, whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are likely to feature in attack.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Liverpool: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

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