Arsenal are currently on a high, having won ten games in a row in all competitions. Their last win against Leicester City was an emphatic one by all means, as the Gunners came back from a one-goal deficit to win the contest 3-1. Led by their influential captain Mesut Ozil and star striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, the North London side put on a real show which the fans would cherish for a long time to come.
With their spirits high, Unai Emery’s men are set to take on their next opponents, Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League. The Spanish manager has done a fantastic job with the team so far and would be hoping that his side can keep the juggernaut rolling in the European competition as well. However, it will not be an easy task for the Gunners as Sporting will also look to gather maximum points from their mid-week clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Emery has some injury concerns to deal with going into this crucial match, as veteran keeper Petr Cech, left-backs Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac and centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos are all in doubt against the Portuguese side. While Cech, Monreal and Kolasinac are all out with hamstring injuries, Sokratis picked up an ankle injury during international duty.
Goalkeeper
In the absence of Petr Cech, Bernd Leno is set to start in goal for the Gunners against Sporting. The German international showed his mettle against the Foxes in their last match as he pulled off some brilliant saves and would look to do the same on the European front as well.Â
Defence
With no Sokratis in the side, the onus will be on Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi to guard the backline. Hector Bellerin will start on the right-hand side of the defence. Stephan Lichtsteiner, who did a fair job in the left-back position against Leicester City, is set to keep his place in the starting eleven for the next match.
Midfield
Matteo Guendouzi should get the nod ahead of Granit Xhaka to pair with Lucas Torreira in the central midfield after his fantastic show in the second half of the match against the Foxes. Unai Emery might look to make a few changes in the midfield with Aaron Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles coming into the team in place of Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi. Henrikh Mkhitaryan should start on the right side of the midfield.
Attack
After his scintillating display as a second-half substitute against the Foxes, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang should get the nod ahead of Alexandre Lacazette to lead the line. The Gabon international has already surpassed club legend Thierry Henry after reaching the milestone of scoring the fastest 15 goals in only 22 matches. He would look to add to his tally following his match-winning brace the other night.
Predicted Formation: 4-2-3-1
