LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019, in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Unai Emery to make 5 changes: Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Watford

Apr 14, 2019

Arsenal travel to Watford on Monday as they try to keep pace in the battle for a Premier League top four spot.

Thanks to the weekend results, Arsenal have dropped all the way down to sixth ahead of Monday’s match. Meanwhile, the hosts have the chance to overtake Everton, Wolves and Leicester City to move into seventh if they beat the Gunners.

Unfortunately, Unai Emery has another distraction to contend with. Arsenal are 2-0 up in their Europa League quarter-final against Napoli, and they travel to Italy for the second leg on Thursday. As a result, it seems very likely the head coach will make some changes.

Let’s have a look at the team news and our predicted starting lineup for the clash.

Midfield and Wing-Backs

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal celebrates his team's victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on January 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal celebrates his team’s victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on January 19, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Fresh from his assist against Napoli, Ainsley Maitland-Niles should keep his place against Watford. Neither Carl Jenkinson nor Stephan Lichtsteiner is really making a serious challenge for starts at this stage. On the left, there isn’t any genuine alternative to Sead Kolasinac even if Unai Emery wanted to change.

The midfield spots are far more open right now. Lucas Torreira performed excellently and came off early against Napoli, so he’ll presumably get a start, but there are many options to fill the spot alongside him.

Granit Xhaka is being assessed ahead of the game, Aaron Ramsey is in good form, Mohamed Elneny has found his way back into contention and Matteo Guendouzi is available as well. Assuming Xhaka isn’t risked and Ramsey is saved for Napoli, Guendouzi seems most likely to start alongside Torreira.