Arsenal are back in Europa League action tonight as they host Villarreal in the second leg of semi-final clash.
The Gunners lost the first leg in Spain last week, though Nicolas Pepe’s away goal has given Arsenal hope of advancing.
A 1-0 win would be enough for Arsenal to go through thanks to the away goals rule, and Mikel Arteta needs to get the better of his predecessor Unai Emery.
Arteta rested some players for Sunday’s win at Newcastle, and here’s our predicted XI for tonight’s game…
Mat Ryan may have impressed against Newcastle, but we’re backing usual first-choice stopper Bernd Leno to come back in for such a huge game.
Hector Bellerin also impressed at St James’ Park, and may have done enough to get the nod at right back over Calum Chambers.
Rob Holding and Pablo Mari didn’t start at Newcastle, so we’re backing the pair to resume their partnership tonight.
Kieran Tierney has been back in training this week, and Arteta may gamble on his fitness tonight in what is undoubtedly Arsenal’s biggest game of the season.
That would allow Granit Xhaka to return into midfield alongside Thomas Partey, whilst Martin Odegaard is back fit to play as the number 10.
Arteta has real options out wide, but it seems sensible to go with Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe, flanking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the Gabon ace starts in his preferred central striker role.
Dani Ceballos is unavailable having been sent off in the first leg, whilst David Luiz’s injury at Newcastle may keep him out of the side.
That would leave the likes of Ryan, Arthur Okonkwo, Cedric Soares, Chambers, Gabriel Magalhaes, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Willian and Eddie Nketiah among the substitutes.
Arsenal predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Pepe; Aubameyang.
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