It is unfamiliar feeling for Arsenal when they will go in for Thursday’s Europa League match against Red Star Belgrade. The Gunners are not only top of their group table for the match but they will also have qualification firmly in sight, possibly even with a draw on the night.
It has been a while since the Gunners have enjoyed such monopoly in a table format in any tournament. Their record in the league has been perfect so far with the Gunners winning all three of their matches and will want to maintain their 100% record when they face Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates tomorrow.
Unlike the domestic league, where Wenger’s men are having to endure yet another tough campaign, things have been comparatively easy for them in the Europa League.
Wenger has so far played a youth filled team for all his Europa League outings and with the weekend visit to the Etihad for the match against league leaders Manchester City looming large, Wenger will definitely want to rotate his first team players and bring in the young Gunners for the match.
Manchester City has been in fine form this season and are yet to lose a game in the league. If Wenger and his men, who are fifth in the current table and nine points off the pace, want to challenge for the title, they have to target for all 3 points on the weekend. It would mean having his star players rested and prepared to face Guardiola’s free-flowing attacking team who play at the highest tempo for the full ninety minutes.
Predicted 3-4-2-1 Arsenal Line-Up Vs Red Star Belgrade
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Defence
With David Ospina continuing to recover from his groin injury, Petr Cech might have to play in goal for the Europa League tie.
The three-man defence is likely to be Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding who is fit again to start.
While Reiss Nelson is expected to play at right wing back, it will be young Ainsley Maitland-Niles who will play at left wing-back.
Midfield
The two men at the centre of the park is expected to be Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin.
The two attacking players playing behind the striker will most likely be the two Englishmen in the form of Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott.
Attack
Olivier Giroud who scored the only goal the last time the two sides met with an 85th minute winner is expected to be the frontman for Wenger’s team at the Emirates tomorrow.
