Arsenal take on Lille in tonight’s Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners picked up a 2-1 comeback win over Leeds United in the Premier League last weekend and will look to add another European win tonight.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta has already confirmed a big setback with Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi sidelined with ankle injuries.
We expect Arteta to make several changes to the starting XI with the hectic schedule ahead.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
David Raya has been Arsenal’s undisputed goalkeeper in the Premier League and Champions League matches, and he is expected to continue between the sticks.
The defence could witness a couple of changes. Jurrien Timber looks poised to replace Ben White at right-back, given the latter has just returned from a groin injury.
Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes are assured starters in the heart of the defence, but Riccardo Calafiori could get a breather, given his injury record over recent years.
His workload needs to be managed to avoid niggles that have hampered his career. With Hincapie injured, Myles Lewis-Skelly could drop to left-back from his regular midfield role.
There could be a double change in the heart of the midfield. Bruno Guimaraes should be guaranteed a starting role on the back of scoring a brilliant winner against Leeds.
Declan Rice played the full 90 minutes against Leeds, and we won’t be surprised if he features on the bench, given he has been managing neutral hamstring pain this year.
Mikel Merino could come in to partner Guimaraes tonight. The £31.6 million star was superb for Spain during the international break with three goals and an assist, coming on as a substitute.
In the final third, a couple of changes could be on the cards. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard should be nailed-on starters on the right wing and in the number 10 positions, respectively.
Noni Madueke had a good showing on the left wing on Saturday with six successful crosses and four chances created. He delivered a brilliant ball to White, which helped set up Calafiori’s equaliser.
Still, Arteta could make a change and hand Eberechi Eze another start on the left flank. The Englishman has started in the Cup games so far this season, and that may continue against Lille.
Similarly, Viktor Gyokeres looks poised to lead the line ahead of Kai Havertz, who has just returned from a hamstring injury. The former netted four times for Sweden recently and has the chance to prove his worth to the manager by opening his goalscoring account for the Gunners this campaign.
How Arsenal could line up vs Lille
Stats from Sofascore.com & Transfermarkt.com