Arsenal will travel to Switzerland to face FC Zurich on Thursday in what is the first test of their Europa League group stage campaign.
The Gunners, sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, head into the midweek game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Their unbeaten start to the campaign came to an end with that loss, but Mikel Arteta and co. will be in a buoyant mood ahead of the game at Zurich.
The north London giants will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways against FC Zurich and stamp their authority in Group A which also includes PSV Eindhoven and Bodo/Glimt.
Arsenal Team News
Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny remain out injured, but Mikel Arteta could be dealt with a fresh double blow as Cedric Soares and Emile Smith Rowe missed training on Wednesday morning. As things stand, both Cedric and Smith Rowe remain major doubts for Thursday’s game.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs FC Zurich (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Matt Turner will probably feature in goal against FC Zurich, as Mikel Arteta will be keen to provide Aaron Ramsdale a much-needed rest.
Defence
As for the defensive unit, Mikel Arteta is likely to ring some changes which could see Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu come into the starting XI for William Saliba and Ben White respectively. Holding will start alongside Gabriel in central defence, while Tomiyasu takes up his natural position at right-back in the Arsenal lineup.
Kieran Tierney is expected to slot in at left-back to complete the backline, replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko in the Arsenal lineup.
Midfield
With Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny out injured, Arteta lacks options to rotate in midfield. This should see Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga assume their duties in central midfield, with the latter occupying the deepest role.
Xhaka and Lokonga will have to be strong and clever as a pair to combat Zurich’s midfielders. Martin Odegaard could get some rest, which could see Fabio Vieira make his full Arsenal debut in his preferred no.10 role. Vieira will aim to be the creative spark that helps the Gunners breach the Zurich backline on Thursday.
Attack
Emile Smith Rowe is a major doubt for the upcoming European fixture after he picked up an injury against Man United on Sunday, so Gabriel Martinelli is expected to continue in the Arsenal lineup.
Eddie Nketiah will lead the Arsenal attack against Zurich, with summer signing Marquinhos replacing Bukayo Saka on the right flank. Gabriel Jesus will have to settle for a place on the bench in Switzerland.
