Arsenal welcome CSKA Moscow in the first-leg of the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night. The Gunners have won their last four matches across all competitions, and they now have the opportunity of bagging a solid result at the Emirates Stadium in order to enhance their chances of making the semi-final stage of the competition.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Lineup:
David Ospina has started in eight of the Gunners’ 10 outings in Europe this term, and he is expected to start in goal once more, with Petr Cech nursing an injury.
In defence, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal are very much certain to keep their places in the right and left-back positions respectively, whilst Laurent Koscielny should return to the lineup to partner Shkodran Mustafi at the heart of the backline.
Mohamed Elneny did a credible job during the weekend victory over Stoke, but given the importance of the fixture, Wenger is likely to go with his first-choice pick in Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss international has been a key contributor under Wenger, having appeared in 36 games across all competitions, and he is likely to partner Aaron Ramsey in central midfield.
Moving ahead, Jack Wilshere has found himself playing in the number 10 position of late, and it could be a similar case on Thursday with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil flanking him either side.
Alexandre Lacazette looked sharp during his short 30-minute cameo against Stoke, and we are backing the Frenchman to make his maiden European start of the season versus CSKA.
