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Arsenal predicted line-up vs Club Brugge | Getty Images/ Canva
Arsenal team news and a predicted XI for their Champions League clash against Club Brugge
The Gunners have performed admirably in the competition so far, beating the likes of Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague and most notably recording a 3-1 victory over Bundesliga holders Bayern Munich last time out.
Arsenal will be the favourites to get the job done against a Brugge side that will be hoping for a new manager bounce after their title-winning coach Nicky Hayen and replace him with former boss Ivan Leko, who managed the team between 2017 and 2019.
However, it’s worth noting that Brugge have been no push overs in European competitions. Last season they beat the likes of Sporting CP, Atalanta and Aston Villa to reach the round-of-16. While this season they’ve already picked up a 4-1 win over AS Monaco and earned a commendable 3-3 draw against Barcelona.
Arsenal’s defence has also been decimated by injuries throughout the entirety of December, with Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) and Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh) and William Saliba (knock) all currently in the treatment room. The Gunners have a series of key selections calls to make for this one as they aim to remain at the summit in both Europe and the Premier League.
Ahead of kick-off, we predict what Arsenal’s starting line-up will look like as a series of key changes are made.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Club Brugge: goalkeeper and defence
GK: David Raya: The Spanish international has started every league and European game this season and is expected to feature between the posts as he targets a 13th clean sheet of the campaign across all competitions.
RB: Ben White: The 28-year-old has struggled for game time this season but has recently regained his place in the starting lineup amid an avalanche of injuries. White was outstanding for Arsenal in the 2023/24 campaign and will hope to hit similar standards now he’s back in the lineup.
CB: Jurrien Timber: Netherlands international Timber moves over to central defence to cover for a number of injury stricken Arsenal stars. He’s been outstanding at right-back this term and will hope to prove he’s equally effective in the middle of the defence as well.
CB: Piero Hincapié: Ecuadorian footballer Hincapie, who reached the knockout stages with Bayer Leverkusen last season, will hope to grasp his opportunity to play regularly in the Arsenal backline. He was a member of Leverkusen’s invincible team during Xabi Alonso’s tenure.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly: A fully-fit Calafiori would likely start given that he is about to serve a Premier League suspension, but he was seen limping towards the tunnel after the Aston Villa defeat. It means youngster Lewis-Skelly is likely to play twice in a week for Arsenal as he looks to stake a claim to be in the England squad next summer.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Club Brugge: midfield and attack
CM: Christian Norgaard: Danish international Norgaard could be handed a rare opportunity to start for the Gunners against Club Brugge. His only previous starts have come in the two League Cup games and during a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague in this competition.
CM: Mikel Merino: Spanish international Merino could return to a more familiar central midfield role this evening. He’s been an excellent option for Arsenal in attack during an injury crisis.
CM: Ethan Nwaneri: England Under-21 prospect Nwaneri has been starved of first team football this season and could be given an opportunity to start in central midfield for the Gunners.
RW: Noni Madueke: Former Chelsea star Madueke recently returned to fitness after a fairly length layoff and could now be given a chance to start in the first team as Bukayo Saka is given a much-needed breather.
ST: Viktor Gyokeres: The Swedish forward, who is yet to hit the ground running, could start for Arsenal as he looks to pick up some confidence in front of goal. He’s scored six times in 17 matches so far.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli: Trossard is struggling with a calf issue, leaving Martinelli in pole position to start in the left-wing position. He’s not quite hit the heights of previous seasons in the Premier League so far, but has been very effective in Europe, scoring in all of his four outings so far.
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