Arsenal have no real chance of breaking into the top 4 this season in the domestic league but they do have a chance to qualify for the Champions League, as they are already into the quarterfinals of the Europa League this season.
One of the favourites to go all the way in the competition, the Gunners beat AC Milan 5-1 on aggregate in the last round and were drawn with Russian giants CSKA Moscow, who beat Lyon to reach this stage.
The Gunners are fresh from a comfortable victory over Stoke City in the domestic league but welcome Moscow to Emirates in the first leg of the tie. They will be desperate to take an advantage into the second leg and are expected to start their strongest XI.
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They welcome Southampton at the weekend, which should not be a tough game and Wenger will want his side to get the best out of this home tie. Here is the predicted lineup Arsenal might field for this tie:
Team News
Petr Cech missed the game at the weekend with an injury and is not expected to be rushed into the first team. He will miss this tie along with Danny Welbeck and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the former out injured and the latter ineligible to play. Santi Cazorla remains the only other injury issue ahead of this tie for Arsenal.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1)
Defence
David Ospina is expected to keep his place under the bar like he did during the weekend. Hector Bellerin remains Wenger’s best choice at right-back while Sead Kolasinac, who has lost his place in the first team recently, might be used in the left-back role for this tie.
Laurent Koscielny was an unused substitute against Stoke but is expected to start at the heart of the defence alongside Shkodran Mustafi, who had a decent outing during the weekend.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka only came on as a sub in that game and is expected to start against Moscow while Mohamed Elneny, who did not last the game, might partner him in the middle of the park.
Attack
With Aubameyang and Welbeck unavailable, Alexandre Lacazette, who picked up a goal against the Potters, is expected to lead the line for Arsenal in this game. Jack Wilshere might play in the no.10 role while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil might start on either flank.
Here is how they might line up:
