Arsenal have the chance to return to winning ways when they welcome Vitoria in the Europa League group stage tonight. The north London giants saw their eight-match unbeaten run cease against Sheffield United on Monday night and manager Unai Emery will be aiming for a strong response irrespective of the team on paper.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Lineup:
Emiliano Martinez has kept three clean sheets in the Cup competitions this term and he will be aiming to continue the run against Vitoria at the Emirates Stadium.
At the back, Emery is likely to shift the whole defence with Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney expected to feature from the starting XI.
Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi have been constants for the league duties this term but the duo are expected to be rested with a view to the weekend league game. In their places, Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are likely to feature.
Some of the Gunners faithful have urged Emery to play Mesut Ozil in the number 10 role but the Spaniard has had other plans in mind. The German seems likely to miss out once more with Dani Ceballos likely to start after his bench appearance on Monday.
Further forward, Gabriel Martinelli seems certain to start after contributing four goals from the past two starts in the Cup competitions. The Brazil may featured on the left side of the attack to compensate for Lacazette’s return.
Lacazette made his injury comeback with a cameo against Sheffield and the Frenchman should stand a strong chance of leading the line against the Portuguese outfit.
On the right side of the attack, Nicolas Pepe may probably be handed with another start. The Ivorian has been short of confidence in the final third and Emery could consider playing him for at least an hour.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Vitoria
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