Arsenal host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday and Gunners legend Ray Parlour has taken the opportunity to name a combined XI from the two teams.
Not too long ago it would have been a struggle to make an argument for many Arsenal players to get into the imagined side, but with Mikel Arteta’s side sitting top of the table and ’s down in ninth, things have turned around.
Even so, there is no place for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who have been excellent for Arsenal so far this campaign, but the Gunners are well represented in Parlour’s team.
‘ has had a brilliant season and career so far, but I’ve got to go with Alisson in goal,’ Parlour said on .
‘Right-back, Arsenal play but it’s a no-brainer really, I’ve got to go with Trent [Alexander-Arnold].
‘My two centre-halves, William Saliba has been amazing, so Saliba’s in alongside [Virgil] van Dijk. Even though he’s not in great form, you’ve got to have him in the side.
‘Andy Robertson, I would have him. I really love Robertson, I think he’s a superb player, but he’s injured, so I’m going with [Oleksandr] Zinchenko. He’s going to be my left-back.
‘My two midfielders, [Granit] Xhaka has been superb for Arsenal but I’ve got to go with [Thomas] Partey because he was excellent against Spurs. The ball-player has to be Thiago [Alcantara] for Liverpool.
‘In the wide areas, [Gabriel] Martinelli has been brilliant for Arsenal but I’ve got to go with Luis Diaz. I think that he’ll score you a few more goals. On the right side it’s got to be Salah. He’ll always get you goals.
‘Gabriel Jesus, as Arteta says, has been a revelation for Arsenal, so I’m going to put him up front and just behind, as captain, is Martin Odegaard. He’s a really good lad and can make things happen.’
Arsenal are already 11 points ahead of Liverpool going into their meeting at the Emirates at 4.30pm on Sunday having won seven of their eight matches so far, while the Reds have only picked up two victories.
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