Arsenal managed a commendable 2-0 win over AC Milan in the first-leg of the Round of 16 tie of Europa League at San Siro on Thursday. However, the victory cannot mask their shambolic run of form in the domestic competitions.
The Gunners really need to grind productive results in the Premier League to give themselves a chance of finishing inside the top-four. Arsene Wenger men are due to host Watford at the Emirates Stadium today and they must target all three points.
Arsenal: Team News
Two of Arsenal’s first-choice fullbacks in the form of Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin are expected to be absent due to their back and knee injury respectively. Sead Kolasinac has an injury related to his ankle whereas Alexandre Lacazette is sidelined owing to his knee injury. Meanwhile, Santi Cazorla continues to remain absent with his Achilles injury.
Here is how we expect Wenger to roll out his starting line-up against the Hornets.
Goalkeeper
David Ospina did a decent job in the Europa League clash against AC Milan but Petr Cech should return once again in the league fixture.
Defence
In the absence of Bellerin, Wenger is expected to continue with Calum Chambers on the right. Chambers needs to be consistent and try to make the most of the chances he is likely to receive.
Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi should continue to keep their place in the heart of Arsenal’s defence, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles expected to start as the left-back. Arsenal’s defence has endured a tough run in the league and it is about time they get back on track.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey could feature as the central midfielders against the Hornets. Xhaka did no harm to his reputation in the mid-week and will be hoping to make his presence felt in the league fixture as well.
Ramsey gallops forward time and again and has the tendency to score goals and this trait that he showcases could be really handy for his employers in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere has looked in a really commanding shape of late and deserves to start once again.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to be back in the starting line-up once again after he was ineligible to play in the Europa League fixture. Mesut Ozil might be given a rest as the German playmaker has played four games in two weeks.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to take up the right-wing while Alex Iwobi might be the one to operate from the left flank to support to Aubameyang.
