Arsenal head into the strangest timed Europa League game of all time with a new club captain in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and with a very strong squad having travelled to Portugal, another three points are fully expected.
After the events of two Thursday's ago where it took a perfect late cameo from Nicolas Pepe to pull the Gunners past a surprising Vitoria side, Arsenal now know what to expect from their hosts. This has seemingly been reflected in Unai Emery's travelling party with only Aubameyang, Luiz, Ozil and Smith-Rowe (and Xhaka) left at home. Reiss Nelson returned to action with the U23s this past week so he's included and depending on how the game goes, it could be a perfect opportunity to give him some minutes to build up his match fitness.
A win here and it's pretty much the group wrapped up providing there are no real shocks in the last two game weeks so Emery will be looking for all three points and a fast start, as with the League Cup now gone and so much pressure in the league, the Europa League is the only real opportunity to blood his youngsters in the first team on a full time basis. Emiliano Martinez will come back into goal whilst Holding, Bellerin and Mustafi are likely to return to the defence. The midfield is interesting now, as with no Granit Xhaka again and not likely to return in the league either, Emery is likely to expose Joe Willock to more minutes here but choosing his partner is the trickier decision. Its likely to be both Dani Ceballos and Lucas Torreira tonight with Guendouzi on the bench but as the games continue to come thick and fast, he's going to need all his senior options fit and firing.
Upfront, the in form Martinelli will play, and with Aubameyang at home, it could be through the middle. Lacazette is likely to be a needs must option only whilst Pepe should come back into the starting XI to continue to build his confidence. Two unreal free kicks from the Ivorian won the reverse fixture for the Gunners last time out and he'll again be hungry for success. Bukayo Saka is the other wide option that's likely to start with Reiss Nelson having to settle for a place on the bench.
Our hosts not only started well two weeks ago but they also executed the perfect game plan. I imagine its something Unai Emery didn't expect but now he will. Dangerous on the counter and hugely successful down the flanks and in attacking midfield with an abundance of talented Brazilians, Vitoria know how to threaten. They have a clear blueprint and having shown all their cards last time out, its unlikely to shock the Gunners this time. However, at home, with a raucous crowd, in the probable Portuguese evening rain, their die hard fans will be more than up for it. The omens aren't great for Arsenal either, as they've won only one away tie in Portugal but the positive is that Vitoria haven't won a game in the competition so far this season. A clean sheet would be a nice positive to bring back to London on top of all three points. Nothing less is good enough.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Rob Holding
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Joe Willock
CM: Lucas Torreira
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Gabriel Martinelli
LW: Bukayo Saka
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal with Martinez keeping our opponents out.
@craigbennett10
After the events of two Thursday's ago where it took a perfect late cameo from Nicolas Pepe to pull the Gunners past a surprising Vitoria side, Arsenal now know what to expect from their hosts. This has seemingly been reflected in Unai Emery's travelling party with only Aubameyang, Luiz, Ozil and Smith-Rowe (and Xhaka) left at home. Reiss Nelson returned to action with the U23s this past week so he's included and depending on how the game goes, it could be a perfect opportunity to give him some minutes to build up his match fitness.
A win here and it's pretty much the group wrapped up providing there are no real shocks in the last two game weeks so Emery will be looking for all three points and a fast start, as with the League Cup now gone and so much pressure in the league, the Europa League is the only real opportunity to blood his youngsters in the first team on a full time basis. Emiliano Martinez will come back into goal whilst Holding, Bellerin and Mustafi are likely to return to the defence. The midfield is interesting now, as with no Granit Xhaka again and not likely to return in the league either, Emery is likely to expose Joe Willock to more minutes here but choosing his partner is the trickier decision. Its likely to be both Dani Ceballos and Lucas Torreira tonight with Guendouzi on the bench but as the games continue to come thick and fast, he's going to need all his senior options fit and firing.
Upfront, the in form Martinelli will play, and with Aubameyang at home, it could be through the middle. Lacazette is likely to be a needs must option only whilst Pepe should come back into the starting XI to continue to build his confidence. Two unreal free kicks from the Ivorian won the reverse fixture for the Gunners last time out and he'll again be hungry for success. Bukayo Saka is the other wide option that's likely to start with Reiss Nelson having to settle for a place on the bench.
Our hosts not only started well two weeks ago but they also executed the perfect game plan. I imagine its something Unai Emery didn't expect but now he will. Dangerous on the counter and hugely successful down the flanks and in attacking midfield with an abundance of talented Brazilians, Vitoria know how to threaten. They have a clear blueprint and having shown all their cards last time out, its unlikely to shock the Gunners this time. However, at home, with a raucous crowd, in the probable Portuguese evening rain, their die hard fans will be more than up for it. The omens aren't great for Arsenal either, as they've won only one away tie in Portugal but the positive is that Vitoria haven't won a game in the competition so far this season. A clean sheet would be a nice positive to bring back to London on top of all three points. Nothing less is good enough.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Rob Holding
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Joe Willock
CM: Lucas Torreira
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Gabriel Martinelli
LW: Bukayo Saka
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal with Martinez keeping our opponents out.
@craigbennett10
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