Kai Havertz in shock new role, Aaron Ramsdale returns but Gabriel Jesus out – how Arsenal could line-up against Brentford

Mikel Arteta could decide to follow Julian Nagelsmann in playing Kai Havertz at left-back in a bold new Arsenal system this weekend.

The Gunners travel to Brentford on Saturday looking to make it back-to-back wins at the Gtech Community Stadium this season.

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Arsenal edged out the Bees in a close-fought Carabao Cup tie in September, with Arteta hoping for a similar outcome on the club's return to west London.

And the Spaniard could be tempted to deploy £65million summer signing Havertz at full-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko for the 5.30pm clash.

Germany boss Nagelsmann stunned fans when he fielded the ex-Chelsea star, who predominantly plays as a creative midfielder or striker, at left-back for Saturday's friendly against Turkey.

But Havertz silenced his doubters just five minutes into the match after breaking the deadlock in an eventual 3-2 defeat.

Following the match, Nagelsmann insisted it won't be a one-off him playing there, stating the 24-year-old wanted to try out the new position.

He said: "I don't see this as a risk for him, but as a very, very big opportunity to play a key role at the Euros [next summer].

"Kai said he wanted to do it, wanted to try it — for a first time in an unfamiliar position, he did extremely well."

And with Havertz struggling since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Emirates having chipped in with just one goal and as many assists, Arteta could look to deploy him there in his effort to get the best out of him.

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Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at how Arsenal's starting XI could look if Arteta does indeed decide to tinker his line-up with Havertz at left-back.

Despite being ousted by David Raya between the sticks, Aaron Ramsdale will make his first Premier League appearance since the 3-1 win over Manchester United on September 3.

That is because Raya, on loan from Brentford, is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Ben White could also return to the line-up at right-back to replace Takehiro Tomiyasu having missed the 3-1 win over Burnley with a slight knock.

And having had two weeks to recover during the international break, he could be set to play alongside the preferred centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel.

With defensive midfielder Thomas Partey still out injured, Jorginho is likely to keep his place in the team, which will see Declan Rice feature in the No.8 role.

Havertz has played alongside Rice in the same position in recent weeks with skipper Martin Odegaard out on the sidelines for concussion.

But the Norwegian maestro could be recalled with Fabio Vieira suspended following his red card against the Clarets.

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Norway boss Stale Solbakken omitted Odegaard from his Euro 2024 qualifying squad, but recently stated the player should be fit to face Brentford.

He said ahead of his side's 3-3 draw against Scotland: "I've just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin. He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up.

"It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step.

"Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match."

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to feature on the wings, while Arteta has a headache over who to start up top.

Gabriel Jesus, who has been out for a month with a hamstring issue, could be in contention ahead of schedule as he looks set to to start for Brazil against Argentina.

But Arteta may decide against starting him out of fear he could suffer a setback, instead choosing Leandro Trossard, who was on target in Belgium's 5-0 win against Azerbaijan on Sunday.

He has also scored in each of his last two Arsenal matches when leading the line ahead of Eddie Nketiah.

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