Arsenal will play hosts to Standard Liege at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night hoping to pick up their second win of this UEFA Europa League campaign. The Gunners will come into this clash at the back of a 1-1 draw versus Manchester United. Therefore, it won’t be easy to get the three points against the Belgian opposition if they put in a similar kind of lacklustre performance in midweek.
Unai Emery is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and could make a whole host of changes to his side for this European encounter at North London.
4-2-3-1 Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face Standard Liege
Defence
Emiliano Martínez might get a chance to feature in goal for the Gunners as Bernd Leno is expected to be rested for this European encounter versus the Belgian giants. The defensive pair of Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi could operate at the centre of the Arsenal backline as they look to keep a clean sheet in front of their home supporters. Both defenders will need to prove their worth if they are to establish themselves as first-team regulars for the North London outfit this season. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could get a chance to put in an impressive display at the right-back position while Sead Kolasinac operates on the other side as the left-back.
The North London outfit managed to keep a clean sheet against Eintracht Frankfurt in the opening week of this Europa League campaign. Emery would hope that his players can keep another shutout versus Standard Liege in midweek.
Midfield
Lucas Torreira and Joe Willock will lineup as the anchormen in midfield as they try to dictate play and create some decent chances in the opposition half. The talented trio of Reiss Nelson, Dani Ceballos and Emile Smith Rowe will play just ahead of them as part of the Gunners attack. They will be responsible for orchestrating openings for Aubameyang in the final third.
Emery might drop Nicolas Pepe to his bench after his disappointing display versus Manchester United on Monday night.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been enjoying a rich vein of form in front of the opposition goal this season. The Gabonese striker is currently Emery’s most potent weapon, so he is expected to start against the Belgian side on Thursday.
Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to score against Frankfurt last month so he will look to do the same against Standard Liege later this week.
