Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid on the road in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight.
The Gunners returned to winning ways last weekend with a 1-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
They were far from their best against the Magpies, and must step up with a better defensive performance to beat Atletico away from home.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta is expected to make at least two changes to the starting XI.
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya has been an undisputed starter in the Premier League and Champions League matches for the Gunners. The Spaniard will be eyeing his ninth clean sheet of the European campaign.
In front of him, there could be one change in the backline. Ben White could be replaced by Cristhian Mosquera, who could provide more defensive assurance against Atletico’s Ademola Lookman.
White has shown some defensive vulnerability this term, which could urge the manager to make the switch. Mosquera is much better in one-on-one defensive situations compared to the Englishman.
The rest of the backline should stay unchanged. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are expected to line up in the heart of the defence, while Piero Hincapie is poised to continue at left-back.
Similarly, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are nailed-on starters in the centre of the park. Zubimendi’s form has been inconsistent, but he was fantastic during the last European outing against Sporting CP, bagging the man of the match award.
Martin Odegaard is back in the mix after a nagging knee problem. The Norwegian is one of the club’s best creative players and should feature as the attacking midfielder. Eberechi Eze has been deemed fit after his injury scare against the Magpies.
The Englishman should start from the left wing again. He scored a stunning winner from the edge of the box from a corner, and Arsenal will no doubt want him to have more efforts from long range, given his good scoring form in the last few months.
Bukayo Saka came on as a late 81st-minute substitute, replacing Noni Madueke on the right wing. It was the Englishman’s first appearance since the Carabao Cup final loss last month. We believe the Gunners have been building up his fitness after an Achilles injury, and he looks poised to make the XI tonight.
With Kai Havertz out with an upper leg injury, Viktor Gyokeres is guaranteed to lead the line against Atletico ahead of Gabriel Jesus. The Swede netted a brace in the 4-0 league phase win over Atletico and has the chance to prove his credentials after a couple of appearances off the bench
How Arsenal could line up vs Atletico
Stats from Transfermarkt.com