Arsenal will have to quickly shift their focus from the Europa League debacle to the Premier League as they host West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The North London club were looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Villarreal in midweek, but they could only manage to pull-off a 0-0 draw. With this defeat the club blew their only chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
There is still a chance that they could play in Europa League next season but the Gunners need more than a miracle to pull that off. They will have to win all their remaining games and hope the teams above them will fail to win majority of their games. Long story short, Arteta’s men will have to first get past the Baggies which is easier said than done.
We are expecting a few changes from the midweek game. Mikel Arteta is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation and Bernd Leno will keep his place between the sticks.
Rob Holding is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up while Gabriel Magalhães will be replacing Pablo Mari in the center of defence. Kieran Tierney started against the Yellow Submarines after recovering from a knee injury and is expected to start again. Hector Bellerin will take up his place as the right-back.
Dani Ceballos was suspended for the midweek game and is expected to get a start on Sunday. He will partner Thomas Partey in defensive midfield position. Martin Odegaard will start from the bench with Emile Smith Rowe replacing him in the starting line-up.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to start. The duo will look to stretch the stubborn defensive shape of West Brom with their creativity and pace.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will start upfront. The forward was unlucky in midweek and the Gabonese international will be looking to turn his fortune around in this game.
Predicted Arsenal Line-up Against West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1):
Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhães, Kieran Tierney, Dani Ceballos, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
