Arsenal are set to face PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League this evening, in a match which was initially postponed due to the Queen Elizabeth’s death, and we have some injury doubts to contend with.
The Gunners remain top of their group at present, and while a win will see them qualify for the next round of the competition, a loss would see us drop to second in the group.
Both sides remain unbeaten in the competition thus far, and both have had extremely bright starts to their league campaigns also, sharing 17 wins from 20 between them, with us having won once more than today’s opponents.
With plenty to play for, and what will likely be our toughest European opposition thus far in the competition, it wouldn’t be a huge shock of Mikel Arteta was to name a strong starting line-up, but two first-team players in Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Martinelli are currently doubts ahead of the clash.
Emile Smith Rowe and Mo Elneny both remain sidelined also, and it will be interesting to see how Arteta approaches this one.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Turner
Tomiyasu Holding Saliba Tierney
Lokonga Xhaka
Marquinhos Odegaard Vieira
Nketiah
I feel like Arteta will still be keen to take the chance to rotate his players, but keeping the likes of Odegaard, Xhaka and Saliba in the team should give us a strong enough spine to stay on top and keep an edge over our rivals as we look to steal top spot in the division. I would have named Jesus if he hadn’t been struggling with his fitness of late, while I don’t think we saw enough from Reiss Nelson in the last game to warrant starting him today against the Dutch opposition.
This team should have more than enough to give our home crowd plenty to be excited about, and I believe we will cheering on winners come the final whistle. I can see this side coming away with a 3-1 victory, with Nketiah overdue a goal or two, a win which should assure us of winning the group in the coming games also.
What are your early predictions for today’s clash?
Patrick
Reis Nelson should start over Marquinos. He’s used to international competitions. Everybody struggled in Norway.
I’m very skeptical about playing Odegaard. Both wings should be occupied by Marquinos and Nelson.
Yes, I agree with Marquinhos and Nelson on the wings, and Vieira to play in the 10 spot, his strongest position.
I would probably go with Cedric at RB to rest Tomi, but otherwise a strong enough team to get 3 points at home.
Gonna be a tough game. Hope we win and keep the momentum going
Mixture of starters and non starters
Reiss Nelson is best on the right wing…
They are the highest scoring team in Eredivisie. Gakpo is the most efficient forward in all top 5 leagues. Even their midfielder Xavi is second in their leagues scoring chart.
Meaning, its going to be tough game. Tougher than upcoming Southampton I reckon..
No! Don’t exaggerate. This game is going to be normal business. The level of gunners higher than you think.
Yes a win, or draw (I believe) means we qualify but then we will need a draw in the next game to finish top which means we go straight into the next phase. If we finish second, then we have to play off against a team dropping down from the Champions league (could be Barca) so winning tonight will be the aim!
ours boys will make it
Shame we are not playing Man City instead ,especially with our good form and them coming off a loss ,IMO would have been the right time to play them .