As Arsenal try to forget how things are going domestically, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup to face Villarreal in the Europa League on Thursday.
To say Arsenal have put all their eggs in one basket is putting it mildly. It’s more like they’ve decided to play a game of catch with the brimming egg basket over a concrete surface wearing blindfolds.
There is nothing left of this season for Mikel Arteta if and when his side exit the Europa League, and there is a good chance that elimination will also kill next season in the process. The next two semi-final games and a potential final are his only hope.
With a few key players still out with injury, Arteta won’t be able to name his strongest side on Thursday, but he’ll have to try and get as close as possible. Here’s our predicted Arsenal lineup vs Villarreal.
Goalkeeper
For the first time in a while, I think you could make a convincing argument to drop Bernd Leno for Mat Ryan. And no, resting him for one game against Fulham doesn’t count.
But the timing of a potential change is awful, right before a European semi-final. This isn’t the time to gamble. Arteta was keen to insist after the game that Leno remains the “number one keeper”, and he’ll probably keep his place.
Defence
Arteta will probably start the same defence against Villarreal as against Everton. In the cases of Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari, that’s because they’ve done little wrong to deserve being swapped out.
In the cases of Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding, it’s because there are no real alternatives. You could possibly move Bukayo Saka to left-back, but like the Leno decision, I don’t think this is the game to try something new.
Arsenal lose too much in the build-up with Cedric Soares over Xhaka at left-back, so I’m afraid I don’t see that as a viable option either. Kieran Tierney is obviously still out.
David Luiz was pictured around training before the Everton game, but this match will probably come too soon for him.
Midfield
Thomas Partey and Dani Ceballos will likely keep their places with Xhaka at left-back. Arsenal need to score goals in this first (away) leg, and unless Mohamed Elneny has another screamer in store for us he’s not the best option to achieve that.
Martin Odegaard is back fit, and I’m predicting him to start centrally. Emile Smith Rowe hasn’t done anything wrong, but I’m expecting Arteta to move him out to the left to get both players in the team.
Forwards
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems to be closing in on a comeback after his struggles with malaria, and Arsenal need him back in Alexandre Lacazette’s absence.
As mentioned, I’m expecting Smith Rowe on the left, replacing Nicolas Pepe. I don’t think Pepe played particularly badly against Everton, but with Aubameyang back in the team, Smith Rowe is probably a better fit on that side.
It’s a bit of a toss-up between Pepe and Saka on the right. Saka is showing the kind of inconsistency you expect from a 19-year-old lately, with some excellent performances (like Slavia Prague away) and some forgettable ones (like Everton home).
I’m opting for Saka, but it really could go either way if it’s a straight decision between them.
Predicted Starting Lineup vs Villarreal
