Gyokeres, Mosquera And Hincapie To Start | 4-2-3-1 Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Arsenal step into Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at Emirates Stadium armed with fresh momentum after a 2-0 dismissal of Everton, and Mikel Arteta is poised to shuffle his pack against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The Spaniard is expected to retain the 4-2-3-1 shape that has underpinned the club’s recent upturn, but three eye-catching changes could see January window targets Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie thrust straight into the starting XI.

David Raya will continue in goal after preserving a clean sheet at the weekend, protected by a central pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba whose understanding has become a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defensive resilience. Mosquera is set for a baptism of fire at right-back, while Ecuador international Hincapie lines up on the opposite flank, both full-backs instructed to balance caution with selective forays forward. Ben White provides experienced cover from the bench.

In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will be tasked with subduing Leverkusen’s transitions and dictating tempo, giving licence to an attacking trident of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke to torment the visitors. Eberechi Eze and teenage prodigy Max Dowman are primed to add impetus after the interval should the contest remain in the balance.

Leading the line, Gyokeres carries the responsibility of converting pressure into goals; the striker’s physicality and movement will be central to unlocking a disciplined German rearguard. Gabriel Jesus, left to watch from the dug-out, offers a proven alternative for the closing stages as Arsenal chase a result that would propel them into the quarter-finals.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Madueke, Martinelli; Gyokeres.