Arsenal will be aiming to continue their 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions when they entertain Qarabag in their final group stage game of the Europa League on Thursday night.
The north London side have already sealed their progress into the knockouts with the top spot but Unai Emery is likely to ring in the changes with the young and fringe players coming into the fray.
The Gunners have kept four clean sheets on the bounce in the competition and a fifth against Qarabag would match the competition’s all-time record held by Red Bull Salzburg and Napoli.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Lineup:
Petr Cech has been demoted to the club’s second-choice since his hamstring injury earlier in September and he should start between the sticks on Thursday night.
In the defence, Carl Jenkinson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are potential candidates to slot into the right and left side of the backline.
Meanwhile, club-captain Laurent Koscielny could make his first appearance of the season with Emery already hinting that the Frenchman would feature in the game.
Alongside him, we are anticipating a start for Sokratis who alongside Shkodran Mustafi are suspended for the weekend’s league encounter at Southampton.
Onto the midfield, Mohamed Elneny has been a regular choice for the European duties and he could be accompanied by his regular partner Guendouzi, who has started the previous four games in the competition.
Further forward, Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock could once more feature on the left and right wing respectively after the promising performance at Vorskla last time around while Henrikh Mkhitaryan could partner them in the number 10 role.
Upfront, Emery is unlikely to take any risk involving Aubameyang or Lacazette from the off and this should offer the opportunity for Eddie Nketiah to start for the Gunners for only the second occasion.
