Arsenal make the trip to Italy for Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 first-leg against AC Milan. The Gunners have endured contrasting fortunes to the Rossoneri, who are unbeaten in 2018, but Arsene Wenger will be hopeful that his team put in a solid display, whilst securing a key away goal.
Formation: 4-3-3
Lineup:
David Ospina has been the preferred pick for the Cup and European competitions this term, and Wenger is likely to stick with the Colombian in goal, considering the recent woes of Petr Cech.
In defence, Hector Bellerin is expected to return to the starting lineup ahead of Calum Chambers at right-back whilst Sead Kolasinac is likely to retain his position on the left side of the defence.
Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi have conceded eight goals as a pair in the last three appearances, but they remain the best combination to start in a central defensive partnership at the San Siro.
Aaron Ramsey was rested for the Milan trip last weekend, and the Welshman may slot into a three-man midfield on Thursday night alongside Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka.
With a 4-3-3 formation, Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are very much certain to take up the wider positions, whilst Danny Welbeck is expected to lead the line, with Alexandre Lacazette injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ineligible for the competition.
Arsenal go into the game on the back of a four-match winless run across all competitions, and there is likely to be immense pressure on the players to perform with their futures on the line.
Winning the competition offers a route back to the Champions League, which they appear unlikely to achieve via their league phase where they are 13 points off fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
