Arsenal face CSKA Moscow on Thursday night at the VEB Arena in Russia, with a three-goal lead and a place in the Europa League semi-final on the line.

Overview

Arsenal have finally started to put some results together in recent weeks. Two wins against AC Milan, as well as one against Watford, Stoke City, CSKA Moscow and Southampton leave the team on a run of six straight victories.

It’s not all plain sailing though, particularly after the drama of the last week of football.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan came off injured against CSKA, and Bellerin went straight down the tunnel against Southampton. David Ospina picked up an injury in training and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also seemingly still out, as he hasn’t yet returned to training.

Mohamed Elneny picked up a red card, which probably would’ve made him even more likely to start in Europe (since he couldn’t play in the Premier League). Then the FA overturned the dismissal.

So how will Wenger set up his side for such a crucial European tie, to ensure we don’t see another comeback like AS Roma’s on Tuesday?

Let’s try and work it out…

Goalkeeper

There’s not really much choice here for Arsene Wenger, as David Ospina won’t be back in time for Thursday. Petr Cech is taking over in all competitions at the moment, despite Matt Macey starting when Ospina was out in the group stages.

A three-goal lead might be enough to convince a manager to play a less experienced goalkeeper under normal circumstances, but these aren’t normal circumstances. The Europa League isn’t a luxury for Arsenal, it’s all they have left to save the season.

As a result, Cech will start, just as he did in the first leg. Hopefully this time around he can keep a clean sheet and avoid any scares.

Next: Defence, Midfield, Attack

Defence

Again, given the importance of the tie, we can expect Wenger to pick his strongest possible back line.

That should mean starts for Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal.

The manager rested Monreal and Koscielny at the weekend, seemingly to keep them fresh for this game. Mustafi played, and was partially at fault for Southampton’s opening goal, but we just have to hope he has a better game this time around.

Despite the good results, Arsenal have now gone a couple of weeks without a clean sheet, so it’d be nice to get one on Thursday.

If Bellerin does make the team, he’ll be making his 40th start of the season.

Next: Midfield, Attack

Midfield

Wenger didn’t take any risks at all on Ramsey’s fitness over the weekend, leaving him out of the squad completely. The two-goal hero of the first leg is one of the first names on the teamsheet for all the big games this season, when fit.

Jack Wilshere also started on the bench against Southampton, before coming on and starting fights. He’s on a poor run of form, but that won’t keep him out of the team, given his contract situation.

Granit Xhaka hasn’t travelled to Russia with the rest of the squad, as he has the flu. Instead, Mohamed Elneny will have to fill in.

Thanks to injuries and illnesses, there really aren’t many alternatives here. Especially since Maitland-Niles seems to be out and Joe Willock played against Villarreal’s u23s on Tuesday.

Next: Attack

Attack

Alexandre Lacazette scored two goals of his own last Thursday, before getting a bit of a rest at the weekend. He only played the last 19 minutes against Southampton, so he’ll be fresh and ready for CSKA.

It’s the same story for Mesut Özil. Man of the Match in midweek, rested at the weekend, and presumably back for more in Moscow.

The third position is the only one you could reasonably debate. Danny Welbeck scored twice at the weekend, whilst Alex Iwobi assisted twice. Both can play on the left in a front three. Reiss Nelson is also at his best on the left, but even after his Premier League debut at the weekend it’s still probably too soon.

I’d guess Welbeck will get the nod though, because he’s usually selected over Arsenal’s other attacking players when the team are trying to defend a lead.

Final starting XI

Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Ramsey, Elneny, Wilshere; Welbeck, Ozil; Lacazette.