Arteta needs to get creative with Monday’s starting XI

Once again, Mikel Arteta faces a shortage of manpower. This time it’s among the defenders.

Rob Holding is out on a red card suspension, and Gabriel Magalhaes will probably miss Monday’s match due to a hamstring injury picked-up late in the Tottenham game.

Ben White has also been nursing an injury, but was on the bench Thursday, and should, hopefully, be ready to play on Monday. Takehiro Tomiyasu plays center back for his Japanese national team, so he can help out there if needed.

Also, I would bring Alexandre Lacazette back in to the team to help provide leadership for this young squad.

With that said, I’ve cobbled together two possible starting XI’s to face the Toons…

[4-2-3-1]

Lacazette

Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka

Xhaka, Elneny

Tavares, Tomiyasu, White, Cedric

Ramsdale

-or-

[3-4-3]

Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Odegaard

Tavares, Xhaka, Elneny, Saka