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
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.
