After an abysmal show at Watford on Sunday, Unai Emery needs to turn his players and himself around and get up for a fight in central Germany with nothing but a win enough to quieten the dissatisfaction.
The Gunners know they will be in for a tough game and all fully expect Unai Emery's squad to reflect as much with very few of the U23s travelling with the party. With Alex Lacazette unavailable, it really heightens the lack of depth in Arsenal's strike force now with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the only out-and-out option. He'll surely start but should the Gunners get comfortable, he'll likely be swapped off for vital rest. It could be Nicolas Pepe to come on later and get a good chance to open his Arsenal account. Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli or Bukayo Saka are the most likely wide options to start whilst Mesut Ozil could make his second appearance of the season as number ten and chief creator.
Lucas Torreira's influence is so desperately needed in Arsenal's Premier League midfield but right now Emery just doesn't seem to see it so it's the Europa League where the little Uruguayan will have to make his mark. His partner could be one of many but with a number of games to come in the following weeks, we could see Joe Willock start in Germany. Emile Smith-Rowe will also be pushing for some first team minutes for the first time this season but a start could come too early in his return from injury. A place on the bench is expected.
The defence has been woeful so far this season. And against the Germans, unless things change it could be more of the same. Step forward Calum Chambers and Rob Holding. David Luiz has been far too care free and lackadaisical of late whilst Sokratis just seems to have forgotten how to defend. Chambers on the other hand, has played once this season on the opening day and he came away with a well deserved clean sheet. He must surely start tomorrow night. Arsenal's other English centre back, Rob Holding, is returning from a long term injury. He's made a few appearances for the U23s this season but the next step is a go at the first team. With this fixture followed by Aston Villa on Sunday then by the League Cup next mid-week, there are opportunities aplenty to blood Holding's return. But as long a he's ready, it should be sooner rather than later for the struggling defence. Depending on rest and rotation, we could actually see Chambers at right back should Emery opt to give Maitland-Niles a rest. This would likely mean a return from the cold for the calamitous Shkodran Mustafi in central defence. With no other options for left back with Tierney still not yet available, Kolasinac is likely to start and play all game. As with seemingly Arsenal's policy, academy product now back up keeper Emi Martinez is likely to deputise for Bernd Leno throughout the club's cup competitions starting tomorrow.
The hosts hold a number of familiar faces that many might recognise. Kevin Trapp in goal backed PSG's star studded line up several times two or three season ago whilst Jonathan de Guzman and Gelson Fernandes played in the Premier League a few years back. Bayern product and German international Sebastian Rode controls the midfield whilst European journeyman Bas Dost is the dangerman up top. However, things could have been so different for the Germans as, after a fantastic season last time out, star striker Luka Jovic was snapped up by Real Madrid over the summer. His goals carried Frankfurt throughout the season and on a fantastic journey to the Europa League semi finals where they eventually lost out to Baku conquerors Chelsea. Having produced a very mixed bag of form so far this season (2W, 2L), the hosts will be looking to start their European season off much better and with Arsenal's defensive frailties, they are likely to fancy themselves to get the win.
Expected lineup:
GK: Emi Martinez
RB: Calum Chambers
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Rob Holding
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Joe Willock
CM: Lucas Torreira
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Reiss Nelson
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LW: Gabriel Martinelli
Prediction: 1-0 to the Gunners.
@craigbennett10
The Gunners know they will be in for a tough game and all fully expect Unai Emery's squad to reflect as much with very few of the U23s travelling with the party. With Alex Lacazette unavailable, it really heightens the lack of depth in Arsenal's strike force now with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the only out-and-out option. He'll surely start but should the Gunners get comfortable, he'll likely be swapped off for vital rest. It could be Nicolas Pepe to come on later and get a good chance to open his Arsenal account. Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli or Bukayo Saka are the most likely wide options to start whilst Mesut Ozil could make his second appearance of the season as number ten and chief creator.
Lucas Torreira's influence is so desperately needed in Arsenal's Premier League midfield but right now Emery just doesn't seem to see it so it's the Europa League where the little Uruguayan will have to make his mark. His partner could be one of many but with a number of games to come in the following weeks, we could see Joe Willock start in Germany. Emile Smith-Rowe will also be pushing for some first team minutes for the first time this season but a start could come too early in his return from injury. A place on the bench is expected.
The defence has been woeful so far this season. And against the Germans, unless things change it could be more of the same. Step forward Calum Chambers and Rob Holding. David Luiz has been far too care free and lackadaisical of late whilst Sokratis just seems to have forgotten how to defend. Chambers on the other hand, has played once this season on the opening day and he came away with a well deserved clean sheet. He must surely start tomorrow night. Arsenal's other English centre back, Rob Holding, is returning from a long term injury. He's made a few appearances for the U23s this season but the next step is a go at the first team. With this fixture followed by Aston Villa on Sunday then by the League Cup next mid-week, there are opportunities aplenty to blood Holding's return. But as long a he's ready, it should be sooner rather than later for the struggling defence. Depending on rest and rotation, we could actually see Chambers at right back should Emery opt to give Maitland-Niles a rest. This would likely mean a return from the cold for the calamitous Shkodran Mustafi in central defence. With no other options for left back with Tierney still not yet available, Kolasinac is likely to start and play all game. As with seemingly Arsenal's policy, academy product now back up keeper Emi Martinez is likely to deputise for Bernd Leno throughout the club's cup competitions starting tomorrow.
The hosts hold a number of familiar faces that many might recognise. Kevin Trapp in goal backed PSG's star studded line up several times two or three season ago whilst Jonathan de Guzman and Gelson Fernandes played in the Premier League a few years back. Bayern product and German international Sebastian Rode controls the midfield whilst European journeyman Bas Dost is the dangerman up top. However, things could have been so different for the Germans as, after a fantastic season last time out, star striker Luka Jovic was snapped up by Real Madrid over the summer. His goals carried Frankfurt throughout the season and on a fantastic journey to the Europa League semi finals where they eventually lost out to Baku conquerors Chelsea. Having produced a very mixed bag of form so far this season (2W, 2L), the hosts will be looking to start their European season off much better and with Arsenal's defensive frailties, they are likely to fancy themselves to get the win.
Expected lineup:
GK: Emi Martinez
RB: Calum Chambers
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Rob Holding
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Joe Willock
CM: Lucas Torreira
CAM: Mesut Ozil
RW: Reiss Nelson
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LW: Gabriel Martinelli
Prediction: 1-0 to the Gunners.
@craigbennett10
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