Predicted Arsenal XI to face Rapid Vienna in the Europa League
Arsenal get their Europa League group stage underway with Austrian side Rapid Vienna as their first opponents. The Gunners are coming on the back of a narrow loss at the hands of Manchester City in the Premier League.
Their opponents, on the other hand, swept aside Wiener Neust with a 5-1 scoreline. Hard to tell how the game might turn out given it’s the opening game of the group for both.
Team News
Only Gabriel Martinelli is a confirmed absentee due to injury. Elsewhere, Mesut Ozil and Sokratis were excluded from the squad for the tournament, so there are no chances of seeing them either.
There do remain some doubtful names such as Calum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding. Arteta might just throw in the youngsters for this game to rest key players of the team, keeping in mind the clash against Leicester on Sunday.
Probable Arsenal XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Alex Runnarsson (GK)
The new man with the gloves might get to make his debut in his new colours. He might get a good run of games in the competition as well.
Sead Kolasinac (CB)
Will have to slot in as a part of the back three in the absence of key defenders.
David Luiz (CB)
The veteran has slowly tuned down his erratic nature of defending and looks well settled in the backline.
Gabriel Magalhaes (CB)
Should make his Europa League debut for the club and will hope to build on his good performances.
Cedric Soares (RWB)
Bellerin has looked suspect in recent games and this may pave the way for Cedric to get a few games under his belt.
Thomas Partey (CM)
Came on from the bench for his debut but might be given his first start on the night.
Mohamed Elneny (CM)
Quite literally no one expected to see Elneny in an Arsenal shirt again but we did. Should be a regular feature in the Europa League campaign.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (LWB)
Likely to return to a familiar role he played during the early stages of the season.
Reiss Nelson (RW)
One of the youngsters who might get his chance to impress. Cannot pass it up.
Eddie Nketiah (ST)
Will be deputising given the fact that senior attackers might be rested for the fixture.
Emile Smith-Rowe (LW)
Arteta might just hand him his first game of the season since his long injury layoff. Will be interesting to see if he is given the entire 90 minutes.
