Arsenal have managed to turn things around under Unai Emery’s tutelage in recent weeks after a disappointing start to the season. The Gunners have won three successive league matches in a row and would now go into their Europa League opener against FC Vorskla with a lot of confidence. However, it is expected that Emery might make some changes for this clash to hand some of his fringe players a chance to shine in the Arsenal first-team.
On Thursday night, the North Londoners will play hosts to the Ukrainian side, FC Vorskla at the Emirates Stadium in what could prove to be a tricky tie for Emery’s men. Here are three players to look out for when the Gunners clash heads with Vasyl Sachko’s team.
Alex Iwobi
The Gunners speedster has already made two appearances in the Premier League and has a goal and an assist to show for his efforts. Although he has not seen enough first-team action over the past few weeks, yet the upcoming UEFA Europa League encounter against Vorskla could serve as a perfect opportunity for him to stake his claim in Emery’s first XI.
He is blessed with excellent pace and can dribble with the ball out of tight areas which makes him a player to watch out for on Thursday night.
Bernd Leno
Since the German keeper’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer, most Arsenal supporters thought that he would be starting in goal for the Gunners on a weekly basis. However, Petr Cech has managed to keep him out of Emery’s first-team until now, and it seems like Leno will finally get his opportunity to shine for his new employers against the Ukrainian giants in midweek.
Mohamed Elneny
The Egyptian midfielder had been a spectator ever since Emery’s appointment last summer. He has struggled to break into the Gunners first XI even though the form of Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka has been questionable. It is quite likely that Elneny might get a rare start at the middle of the park versus FC Vorskla which would be a great chance to prove his worth in front of the Arsenal faithful at the Emirates Stadium.
The 26-year-old is quite capable of playing in a deep-lying, holding midfield role which has been a problem area that Emery could look to address in the upcoming matches.
