Arsenal take on Napoli on the road in tonight’s Champions League encounter.
The Gunners lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on penalties last season and will aim to go all the way this campaign.
They will begin their European season in Naples, and manager Mikel Arteta is bound to make a few changes.
Arsenal have an away Premier League game at Sunderland in less than 72 hours, which could influence the selection.
Predicted Line-up:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
David Raya has had a fine beginning to the season with three clean sheets in four appearances. He conceded in just the second minute against Chelsea last weekend, but had a fantastic derby thereafter. The Spanish goalkeeper pulled off a world-class save to deny Estevao before stoppage time. He is expected to continue between the sticks.
The defence could witness a solitary change from the Blues game. With Cristhian Mosquera still nursing a muscle injury, Ezri Konsa is poised to make his Champions League debut for the Gunners alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence. William Saliba remains sidelined with a back problem.
Riccardo Calafiori has started every match for the Gunners so far this term, which naturally suggests the left-back could be rotated with Piero Hincapie. Arteta did so in the league phase last season when Myles Lewis-Skelly started over the Italian for a few matches. Hence, Hincapie could make the XI tonight.
Jurrien Timber was spotted in full training with Arsenal from the off yesterday and has also travelled to Naples. The Dutchman has been handled with caution after a nagging groin issue, and we believe he could make a cameo appearance, replacing Ben White at right-back. With the lack of other specialist right-back options, White looks likely to start for the fifth game running this term.
In midfield, there could be a complete overhaul from the 2-1 comeback league win over Chelsea on Sunday. Declan Rice has been nursing neural hamstring pain since the turn of the year and could be given a breather. Bruno Guimaraes was an unused substitute against Chelsea, and the summer signing could make his Champions League debut for the Gunners from the off tonight.
Similarly, we would see Martin Zubimendi getting the nod over Lewis-Skelly for his first start of the campaign. The Spaniard was ever-present in the starting XI at the beginning of last season but has fallen down the pecking order. He could be handed an opportunity as part of the rotation.
In the final third, we anticipate one change from the Chelsea win. Martin Odegaard has been in blistering fashion with three goals in four appearances. He has been named the man of the match thrice and should continue to captain the side from the number 10 position against Napoli.
Similarly, we fancy Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz to continue as the right winger and striker respectively. Saka could play for an hour before being replaced by Noni Madueke. Havertz, who has already netted three goals this season, could likewise do so, with Viktor Gyokeres coming on for him.
Christos Tzolis has been a revelation on the left wing with three assists so far, while creating some big chances too. The Greek has started every game for the Gunners thus far, but his workload may need to be managed. He played 90 minutes in the recent derby and appeared jaded towards the end.
Hence, there is a possibility that he could be swapped with Eberechi Eze, who has been Arteta’s backup option on the left wing this season. The Englishman came off the bench against Aston Villa and made the difference with a key pass in the lead-up to Bukayo Saka’s winner. He will be eager to prove a point.
How Arsenal could line up vs Napoli