Predicted Arsenal XI to face Napoli in the Europa League
Arsenal managed to grind out a 1-0 victory over a 10-man Watford side in the Premier League on Monday night, thanks to a solitary strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners carry a 2-goal advantage into the second leg of the Europa League quarter final away from home against Napoli on Thursday night and Unai Emery’s side are the clear favourites to make it to the last four after a dominant 2-0 victory at the Emirates last week, albeit Napoli are more than capable of pulling off a surprise at home.
Arsenal should be high on confidence after their victory over Watford and the Italian giants have plenty of work to do if they are to have any chances of overturning the deficit.
Team News
Sokratis was unavailable for the Premier League game against Watford for having picked up 10 yellow cards but he will be expected to make the trip to Italy for the Europa League clash. Rob Holding (knee), Danny Welbeck (ankle) and Hector Bellerin (knee) are all long-term absentees for the Gunners.
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Predicted XI
1. Petr Cech (GK)
The veteran hardly had a save to make in the home leg at the Emirates and his experience between the sticks can prove to be a deciding factor in the Europa League.
2. Laurent Koscielny (CB)
Arsenal’s club captain has been as solid as a rock at the heart of the backline in recent weeks and he will need to be at the top of his game once again.
3. Sokratis (CB)
Mavropanos started against Watford but the Greek international will be expected to take his place at the back for this one.
4. Nacho Monreal (LCB)
The Spaniard had a good outing in the reverse fixture against Napoli and chipped in with some valuable clearances in the victory over Watford.
5. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (RWB)
The youngster continued his impressive run of form in the 2-0 victory over the Italians last week and bagged the assist for Ramsey’s goal.
6. Sead Kolasinac (LWB)
He coped really well with the threat of Jose Callejon down the flanks last week and Emery should continue to back him.
7. Granit Xhaka (CM)
Torreira was substituted in the victory over Watford as a precautionary measure and the Swiss international might get another start on Thursday.
8. Aaron Ramsey (CM)
He is Arsenal’s most in-form player currently and his all-around contribution is indispensable to the Gunners in the midfield.
9. Mesut Ozil (CAM)
The German wizard caught the Napoli defence flat-footed on numerous occasions last week with clever flicks and slick passes and he should be fresh to start on Thursday after coming off the bench in the game against Watford.
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10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST)
Arsenal will be hoping for their talismanic striker to continue his good run of form.
11. Alexandre Lacazette (ST)
The Frenchman had a poor outing against Napoli last week and was benched for the Watford game but he is likely to return to the eleven if Emert chooses to go in with a two-man strike force.
