Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Watford on the road on Monday night.
The north London side have bagged just the single league win away from home in 2019, but they need to put an end to the dreadful record with their top four pursuit hanging in the balance.
Unai Emery’s side are currently three points behind the final Champions League spot with a game in hand, and their top-four destiny will remain in their own hands, so long as they can overcome the Hornets.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Lineup:
Bernd Leno should return to the sticks for the Premier League duties after witnessing Petr Cech feature in the European triumph over Napoli on Thursday night. The German will be tasked with earning the Gunners with their maiden league shutout on the road this term.
In the defence, a solitary change is expected from the midweek Europa League clash, given Sokratis will be serving a two-match suspension after reaching the 10 yellow card limit for the season. In his place, Shkodran Mustafi is certain to partner Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal at the heart of the club’s backline.
Ahead of the trio, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac should retain their roles in the right and left wing-back positions respectively, although the same policy may not prevail in the midfield and forward departments.
Unai Emery has already confirmed that he will make changes to the lineup with a view to the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Napoli. Taking this case, we are anticipating Lucas Torreira, who should be fresh after a three-match domestic suspension, to partner Matteo Guendouzi in the centre of the park, with Granit Xhaka still deemed doubtful for the game.
In front of the duo, Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be entrusted with the attacking midfield roles after featuring from the bench against Napoli while Alexandre Lacazette could be tasked with leading the line. The Frenchman needs to boost up his confidence after squandering a wonderful scoring chance against Napoli in midweek.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Bernd Leno, Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Sead Kolasinac, Alex Iwobi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alexandre Lacazette
