Arsenal travel to Azerbaijan on Wednesday morning to take on Qarabag FK on Thursday evening in the nation's capital Baku. As favourites to win the group, Arsenal are expected to deliver nothing less than a win to carry on the great momentum swing currently being enjoyed. To make it eight in wins in a row, under a new management regime will be mightily impressive but it's a run that fans need to see continue, after having endured tough runs of form over recent years.
Another fixture, another 'keeper conundrum for Arsenal boss Unai Emery as Petr Cech's month on the sidelines means that he now has Bernd Leno as his starting Premier League goalie. The question now is, does he start the German in Azerbaijan or does he rotate again to allow Emi Martinez to come in as the cup 'keeper?
As well as a goalie dilemma, the same remains for the back four; does experience play over youth, or does youth get a chance? Lichtsteiner is expected to play at right back, as he has done for all cup competitions so far this season. Sead Kolasinac returned to the bench on Saturday against Watford so could get a start at left back in place of Nacho Monreal. The centre backs could see a change as Sokratis will be looking to return but after his man of the match display at the weekend, Rob Holding certainly deserved to keep his starting place. We could see Mustafi given a rest instead. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is said to be starting first team training again soon, whilst Mavropanos, Koscielny and now Petr Cech remain more longer team absentees.
The Gunners will be without Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan as Azerbaijan has an entry ban on all Armenian nationals. The club opted against applying for a special work permit which would have potentially allowed him to enter the country and play the match. These efforts were deemed unnecessary presumably because the feeling is that there are enough quality players that are available to see Arsenal through the fixture.
Much like last week's league cup tie, Guendouzi and Elneny are the likely midfield combo that start this match. The combination of defensively responsibility and lack of risk-taking means a solid base to a (hopefully) creative attacking midfield. Iwobi, Welbeck, Ozil and Lacazette are the likely four to fill the forward thinking spots in Emery's XI. However, the likes of (fit again) Smith-Rowe and Nketiah are pushing hard for a start. However, in a tough environment, a long way from home, I expect to see the more experienced players take the lead somewhat. Attacking youngsters are most likely to see pitch time from the bench. Although, a strong squad has travelled so the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Lucas Torreira should all be in reserve, if required. It's a long season so any opportunity for rest should be taken which would suggest that some of the big guns will only be introduced if/when needed.
What do we know about our opposition? Qarabag are one of the most successful Azerbaijan teams domestically, and in European competition also. They were the first to make a European group stage in the Europa League 2014/15, and then went on to break new ground last season as they qualified for the group stage of the Champions League. They have pedigree, and will prove a tough test for Emery's men, that won't give anything easy, especially in their own back yard. They have a good record at home and have built this on defensive solidarity; conceding few goals and keeping opponents out. However, the Gunners are glittered with forward talent. The likes of Lacazette and Aubameyang are in red hot form, as is Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil - giving their manager another (good) selection headache. The red army have more than enough to beat Qarabag and should be looking to put on a good performance, claiming all three points. The atmosphere may start hostile as the home fans rally their idols but really Arsenal should be brushing past this challenge with relative ease. Yes, the (sort of) reserve XI isn't gelling as well as the starting Premier League XI but it is still laced with good players - all of a higher standard than that of Azerbaijan. Nothing but three points is acceptable.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Stephan Lichtsteiner
CB: Rob Holding
CB: Sokratis
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CM: Mohamed Elneny
RW: Alex Iwobi
CAM: Mesut Ozil
LW: Danny Welbeck
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 3-0 with Lacazette continuing his good form, whilst Welbeck also grabs a goal or two.
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