Mizgan Masani
Arsenal vs Standard Liege prediction: Arsenal line-up
Arsenal will hope to continue their good start to the Europa League campaign when they face Belgian side Standard Liege in matchday two of the Europa League group stage at the Emirates stadium this Thursday.
Unai Emery’s men were not at their best but still managed to win at Frankfurt on the opening day. They are yet to sort out their defensive issues, but the forward line works well, especially in home games.
On Thursday, the Gunners will have to be at their best as Standard Liege are a dangerous side who play a good brand of football.
Team News
Alexandre Lacazette hasn’t fully recovered from his injury yet and he is expected to be out until late October. Emile Smith Rowe is some way away from making a come back to first-team training. Kieran Tierney is a doubt for this game.
Predicted Arsenal XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Emiliano Martinez (GK)
Arsenal’s second-choice keeper should be in line to start on Thursday. He was superb against Frankfurt.
Hector Bellerin (RB)
Bellerin played for the youth team this past week. He could get his start for the senior team against Liege.
Shkodran Mustafi (CB)
Mustafi is a backup centre-back for now and may get this Europa League game as an opportunity to prove himself.
Rob Holding (CB)
The youngster is now fully fit and should get some game time on Thursday to regain his match fitness.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (LB)
With Tierney a doubt for this game and Kolasinac playing on Monday, Ainsley could get a go at left-back.
Lucas Torreira (CM)
The Uruguayan international played only 55 minutes against Manchester United on Monday. He should start on Thursday.
Joe Willock (CM)
The youngster came off the bench at Old Trafford. He is in line to get a start against Liege.
Mesut Ozil (RW)
Ozil didn’t even travel for the game on Monday. He should start on Thursday and add more creativity to the team.
Dani Ceballos (CAM)
He came on for the last 35 minutes against United. The Real Madrid loanee should be fresh to start against Liege.
Reiss Nelson (LW)
Nelson came off the bench late on against United. He is almost certain to start on Thursday.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST)
With Lacazette still injured, Aubameyang should shoulder the responsibility of leading the line on Thursday as well.
