Another first tonight, as Uani Emery's Arsenal play European football for the first time, as the Gunners welcome Ukrainian side FC Vorskla Poltava to Ashburton Grove. Having tasted European football before, the Poltavans will be looking to continue their story throughout what looks a tough group. Arsenal on the other hand will be looking for more of the same as last season's competition; to slide through the group easily only using a handful of first teamers each week, and to avoid any ill-discipline or injuries in the process.
There are a few players in and around the first team squad who are desperate for some minutes and tonight will be a good opportunity to test them out at a reasonable level. Defenders Holding, Mavropanos and Lichtsteiner, midfielders Elneny and Iwobi, and Forward Danny Welbeck will all be pushing to start in what could be a pretty strong XI. Arsenal have traditionally blooded youth in these lesser competitions though, and although I expect a strong XI, the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe and Joe Willock could all see minutes from a youthful bench.
The Guendouzi-Torreira debate rolls on into mid-week football for the first time as Emery needs to again decide between the two, as whoever starts here should (in theory) not start at the weekend. That would be the sensible decision, certainly. Judging by Saturday's appearance, and other cameos too, it is clearly now Torreira time. He's been extremely impressive and ultimately changed games upon arrival. Unfortunately for Guendouzi, he delivers solid performances but doesn't product numbers or stats. He doesn't get assists or goals but may get 98% passing accuracy. This is where Torreira has shown to dominate as he picked up an assist against Cardiff yet still offers those defensive traits that Guendouzi can't (interceptions, recoveries, tackles). So with this in mind, I expect to see Guendouzi starting in centre midfield tonight, potentially playing the full ninety.
It is also expected that Danny Welbeck will start either from the left or directly up the middle. Unfortunately he often does well as an impact player but rarely delivers as a starter. But things can change and he needs time to get his season started properly so the Europa League could be the perfect platform for him. Iwobi is in a similar boat, and actually Mkhitaryan's minutes have dropped recently so he too could be pushing for a starting birth on the right flank. Bernd Leno is expected to make his first competitive appearance for Arsenal, with Cech being rested and Martinez providing back up from the bench.
So what do we know about tonight's visitors? Having finished third in Ukraine's premier division for only the second time in their history last season, Vorskla will be looking to stifle Arsenal from deep and hit back on the counter. It may start as a hugely daunting night in London for many of the away team but make no mistake, they aren't just here to make up the numbers. Having picked up only a small handful of points in one previous season of group football in the Europa League, they will start as massive underdogs. Arsenal need a fast start and get them on the back foot from the off, with fast playing play. Utilise the circumstances; that of a daunting night in front of a big crowd against one of Europe's top clubs, and make the visitors pay.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Stephan Lichtsteiner
CB: Rob Holding
CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos
LB: Jordi Osei-Tutu
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CM: Mohamed Elneny
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
CAM: Alex Iwobi
LW: Danny Welbeck
ST: Eddie Nketiah
Prediction: 3-0; Welbeck, Iwobi and Nketiah on the scoresheet.
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