Martin Keown thinks he’s spotted a hint about Arsenal starting line-up tonight

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Arsenal return to Europa League action tonight as they take on Villarreal in the second leg of their semi-final clash.

The Gunners lost the first leg in Spain las week, falling to a 2-1 defeat – but Nicolas Pepe did grab an away goal for the Gunners.

That means a 1-0 win would be enough for Arsenal to go through tonight, and Mikel Arteta will have hope of reaching the final.

Arteta does though have major selection dilemmas. Does Bernd Leno come back into the side? Has Hector Bellerin pushed himself back ahead of Calum Chambers?

Is now the time to gamble on Kieran Tierney’s fitness? Is there room for Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli?

We must wait to see the answers to those questions, but Martin Keown thinks he’s spotted one hint about Arteta’s team selection.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang conducted media duties on Wednesday, and Keown has told the Daily Mail that he believes that to be a sign that he will start tonight.

The attacker has been in patchy form of late, and has particularly struggled when stuck out on the left flank instead of playing up front.

Keown added praise for Aubameyang, backing him as one of the top strikers in Europe despite the criticism he is receiving, and believes he is needed at the top of his game tonight.

“Last week’s first leg was possibly the worst performance of Arsenal’s season. Thursday’s second leg needs to be their best,” said Keown. “It’s important they use a No 9. Mikel Arteta’s experiment with a false nine didn’t work. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was put in front of the press on Wednesday, so you expect he will start up top.”

“Regardless of what his critics might think, he is still one of the best strikers in Europe. Aubameyang scored the goals that won Arsenal the FA Cup last season — with braces against Manchester City and Chelsea in the semi final and final respectively. To have a marksman like him at the top of the team is important. It gives the group confidence and goals are what Arsenal need on Thursday,” he added.