Having finally managed to get their domestic season on track, Unai Emery’s Arsenal will now begin their European journey this week. The Gunners’ failure to finish in the top 4 last season sees them play in the Europa League and they will start their group stage with a clash against Ukrainian outfit FC Vorskla Poltava tonight.
Vorskla have won four and lost four of their first eight domestic league games and are second favourites in this tie. Playing at Emirates, Emery will hope that his side can snatch all three points without much fuss. But with the game against Everton just a couple of days away, he might be tempted to rest a few of his key stars. Here is the predicted lineup Arsenal might field for this tie:
Team News
In team news, the Gunners are still without the services of Sead Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny, both of who are long-term absentees. Carl Jenkinson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are also ruled out for this clash. Aaron Ramsey is struggling with fatigue and is unlikely to be risked.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Bernd Leno, Arsenal’s summer signing is yet to play for the club. However, he will get his first minutes in this Europa League clash. Shkodran Mustafi has been Arsenal’s best defender this season. He has won 3.8 aerial duels and two tackles per game, to add to seven clearances per game and could keep his place in the side at the heart of the defence. He should be paired with young Rob Holding, who will also play his first game for the club this season.
Stephan Lichtsteiner was an unused substitute at the weekend against Newcastle United and could give Nacho Monreal a rest at left-back. Due to lack of options, Hector Bellerin might continue in his right back role.
Midfield
Granit Xhaka and Ramsey deserve to be rested for this game. Emery should give Lucas Torreira, who is yet to start a game for the club, a chance to impress from the beginning against Vorskla in this European tie. He could start alongside Mohamed Elneny in a deep midfield role. Elneny will also play his first game of the season for the Gunners.
Attack
Mesut Ozil, who scored his first goal of the season at St James’ Park at the weekend needs to find some form desperately. He could be used in a no.10 role, even though Arsenal have enough quality in their side, without him. Emery could also use Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the attack for this game. The Armenian only came off the bench against the Magpies and should be fresh and ready.
Alex Iwobi, who has a goal and an assist, along with 1.5 key passes per game, in just 121 minutes of action, could be the wild card for Arsenal. He could start on the left side in the attack while Danny Welbeck, who came on as a sub in three of the five games for the club, could get his first start of the season.
Here is how they might line up
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com
