Arsenal will face off against Vitoria at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques on Wednesday hoping to continue their flawless start to this Europa League season. The Gunners will come into this encounter at the back of 1-1 draw versus Wolves last weekend.
Unai Emery will likely opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to rest most of his first-team regulars in midweek.
4-2-3-1 Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face Vitoria
Defence
Emiliano Martínez will get a chance to shine as Emery’s first-team goalkeeper when he assumes his duties in between the sticks for the North London giants in midweek. Bernd Leno will be rested with a crucial league encounter versus Leicester City coming up next weekend. The duo of Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi will once again operate as the centre-backs as they focus on putting in a dominant defensive display at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques on Wednesday evening.
Hector Bellerin might be given the nod to operate as the right full-back as this game would be an ideal chance for Emery to give him some more first-team minutes. Sead Kolasinac will likely play on the other side in the left-back position as he tries to create some decent chances down the wide areas. Emery’s men have conceded just two goals and kept two clean sheets in the Europa League group stages thus far, so this could be another perfect opportunity for them to secure a shut-out at the back.
Midfield
Both Granit Xhaka and Joe Willock will lineup as the anchormen in midfield as they try to disrupt play and create a few openings in the opposition half. Willock scored with a world-class strike from long range against Liverpool last week so he will be quite confident about putting in a fruitful display versus Vitoria in midweek.
However, Xhaka has come under a lot of scrutiny following his antics after being booed off the pitch by the Arsenal fans. The Swiss international will have to find a way to put all the drama behind him so that he can put in a much-improved showing against Vitoria in midweek.
The talented trio of Emile Smith-Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will need to work together and create some decent goal-scoring opportunities in the final third. Pepe has been underwhelming in terms of his performances since his big move from LOSC Lille earlier this year, so he is in dire need of finding some form for the sake of his new employers. Maybe a move centrally would help unleash his creative side more. We believe Mesut Ozil will be rested for this tie.
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli might get the responsibility to spearhead Emery’s attack up. He has been sensational in the cup competition for the Gunners so far, and the midweek fixture versus Ivo Vieira’s men will be a good chance for him to score again in Arsenal colours.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be rested in this game after being heavily involved in Emery’s first-team over the past few weeks.
