Mikel Arteta has confirmed a significant shake-up in his starting XI for the Premier League visit of Hull City to the Emirates Stadium, reverting to the exact lineup that secured a 1-0 victory at Anfield last weekend. The manager has made six changes from the squad that featured in the midweek Champions League campaign, prioritizing defensive stability and midfield control. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori return to the back line, while Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard are recalled to the engine room. Up front, Kai Havertz leads the line, flanked by Christos Tzolis and Noni Madueke, signaling a return to the attacking rhythm that has defined Arsenal’s recent success.
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Notable absences include William Saliba, who was rested on the bench in midweek and remains out of the matchday squad entirely, alongside Max Dowman, who serves the second of a three-game suspension. The defensive partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and Konsa will anchor the back four behind Raya, while Rice and Guimaraes form the double pivot. On the bench, Arteta retains depth with players like Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and Viktor Gyokeres ready to impact the game, ensuring the squad remains flexible despite the rotation.
Hull City, who drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town in their previous outing, have also adjusted their selection by making two changes. Lucas Gourna-Douath and Mohamed-Ali Cho enter the starting eleven, replacing Ryan Giles, who drops to the bench. Crucially, Hull’s top scorer, Mohamed Belloumi, misses out entirely, a decision that could significantly impact their attacking threat against Arsenal’s high-pressing system. The visitors will look to capitalize on any gaps left by Arsenal’s rotation, but the Gunners’ familiarity with this specific lineup offers a tactical advantage in their bid to extend their unbeaten run.
Source: Arsenal.com
