Arsenal will face BATE Borisov tonight after a hard fought 2-1 win against bottom dwellers Huddersfield Town. Unai Emery has not yet managed to zero in on his best formation or personnel but the results have not been the worst which has ensured that the Gunners are firmly in the top 4 race.
Arsenal are out of the domestic cup competitions which means a slight advantage in terms of the fixture list. Their next game is the second leg of this fixture at home in a week’s time and thus there will not be the need for heavy rotation, especially tonight. Emery has shown in the past how important the competition is for him and his excellent track record means that the Londoners can be hopeful of the Europa League as a viable alternative route to the Champions League next season.
BATE Borisov are currently in their pre-season and this will be their first competitive game since December. Thus, in terms of match sharpness too, the Gunners are far ahead.
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Mesut Ozil has not travelled with the squad as questions continue to be asked regarding his current standing in the club. Aaron Ramsey, whose summer move to Juventus was confirmed this week, is also out with a thigh injury while Sokratis Papastathopoulos has also been ruled out by Emery. Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding are also sidelined.
In what will come as good news, Granit Xhaka has returned to training and has made the squad.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP VS BATE BORISOV (3-4-2-1)
DEFENCE
Petr Cech is expected to return in goal. The Premier League veteran knows this is his best chance for a final major trophy and he will surely be up for the job.
Emery will want a sizeable lead today to take into the second leg, where ideally most of the rotation will be planned. Hence, we might see a start in the back three for Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal.
WING-BACKS
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac have surprisingly become two of the most influential sources of creativity which might, at some level, worry Emery also. They accounted for five of the seven chances created by the Gunners against 20th placed Huddersfield and will be backed to come up with the goods again.
MIDFIELD
Granit Xhaka is back in training but he is unlikely to be rushed back here which might see Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi team up in central midfield.
ATTACK
We expect a start for Denis Suarez in a slightly advanced role. He might line up alongside Alex Iwobi just behind the striker.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang had three training sessions this week and should be fit enough to start thus handing Lacazette a much-needed breather.
