Predicted Arsenal XI to face BATE Borisov in the Europa League
Arsenal beat basement club Huddersfield Town on Saturday, thanks to first-half goals from Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette. Sead Kolasinac’s stoppage-time own goal ruined Arsenal’s clean sheet as the Gunners won 2-1.
Next up for Unai Emery is a trip to Belarus to face BATE Borisov in the first leg of a Europa League round of 32 clash on Thursday.
Team News
Unai Emery’s injury woes continue with Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos still out with an ankle problem. Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey are big doubts too with the duo missing out the 2-1 victory at Huddersfield due to injuries. Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both expected to return after recovering from illness.
Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck have been ruled out for the season.
Probable Arsenal XI
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 3-4-3
Petr Cech (GK)
The veteran has been Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper since losing his place to Bernd Leno in the Premier League. Cech will wear the captain’s armband against BATE Borisov.
Carl Jenkinson (RWB)
The 27-year-old will take over from Ainsley Maitland Niles, who started against Huddersfield on Saturday. Jenkinson will play as a right wing-back.
Stephan Lichsteiner (RCB)
The former Juventus man will return to the starting XI and will start on the right-hand side of the central defence. The Swiss international will bring in leadership and experience to the Arsenal backline.
Shkodran Mustafi (CB)
The German international started the game at Huddersfield and put in an impressive show. He will keep his place at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (LCB)
The young Greek returned from injury last month and is raring for a start. His speed, physique and reading of the game will be important against Borisov.
Nacho Monreal (LWB)
The Spaniard has played at centre-back since returning from injury but will be back in his natural position on Thursday.
Mohammed Elneny (CM)
Elneny came off the bench against Huddersfield on Saturday but will start in the midfield against BATE on Thursday.
Joe Willock (CM)
The 19-year-old started twice in the group stages and scored a fine goal in the process. He will play partner Elneny in midfield on Thursday.
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan (RW)
The Armenian returned from injury against Huddersfield and played very well. He came off in the second half and will start again on the right-hand side at Belarus.
Denis Suarez (LW)
The January recruit is yet to start a game for the Gunners but has come off the bench in the last 2 games. He will start on the left wing but will float around and switch flanks with Mkhitaryan.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST)
The former Dortmund man missed Saturday’s game against Huddersfield due to illness but is expected to lead the line in Belarus.
