MX23RW : Wednesday, March 17 21:47:38| >> :120:7022:7022:
Dec 3, 2020 at 8pm UK at Emirates Stadium
ArsenalArsenal
4-1
Rapid ViennaRapid Vienna
Lacazette (10'), Mari (18'), Nketiah (44'), Smith Rowe (66')
Elneny (42'), Mustafi (61')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Kitagawa (47')
Ullmann (39'), Sonnleitner (79')

How Arsenal could line up against Rapid Vienna

Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up for their Europa League showdown with Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening.

Arsenal will endeavour to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League when they welcome Rapid Vienna to the Emirates Stadium for Thursday evening's showdown.

The Gunners have taken 12 points from a possible 12 so far and have already secured their place in the knockout stages, with Mikel Arteta's men overcoming Vienna 2-1 in Austria back in October.

However, Arsenal have not been up to scratch in the Premier League and head into this game following a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates, although the game was marred by a sickening clash of heads between David Luiz and Raul Jimenez.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up for Thursday's visit of Vienna.



POSS ARS XI vs. VIE© Reuters

Out: Thomas Partey (thigh), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), David Luiz (head)
Doubtful: Calum Chambers (fitness), Pablo Mari (fitness)

> Click here for Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Arsenal's ever-growing injury list welcomed another player in David Luiz after his collision with Raul Jimenez - who has since undergone surgery on a fractured skull - but the Gunners drew plenty of criticism for allowing the bloodied Luiz to continue playing in the first place.

The Brazil international is understandably not available for this encounter, meaning that Shkodran Mustafi should come in alongside Rob Holding, with Gabriel Magalhaes granted a rest before Sunday's North London derby.

Arteta should also call upon Alex Runarsson to deputise in goal for Bernd Leno, while two expected changes at right and left-back would see Cedric Soares and Ainsley Maitland-Niles replace Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney, although Sead Kolasinac is a candidate for a start after recovering from coronavirus.

With Thomas Partey set to remain sidelined until 2021, Arteta will certainly welcome Mohamed Elneny's return to the fold after a positive COVID-19 test, and the Egyptian could line up from the first whistle on Thursday after making the bench for the visit of Wolves.

Nicolas Pepe has now served the first of a three-game suspension in the Premier League, and while the Ivory Coast international has struggled for form in the top flight, Pepe earned praise for his performance against Molde just a few days after his sending off at Elland Road.

The 25-year-old boasts three goals and two assists in this year's Europa League and is sure to start here, with Reiss Nelson - who was also lauded for his starring role in the Gunners' 3-0 victory in Norway - expected to demote fellow academy graduate Bukayo Saka to the bench.

Joe Willock was finally handed his chance in the Premier League after a string of solid performances in Europe, but the 21-year-old was one of many Arsenal players who struggled against Wolves and he may be granted a night off to recuperate here.

Dani Ceballos is capable of filling in further up the pitch, but one name that Gooners have been calling out for in recent weeks is Emile Smith Rowe, and the 20-year-old is battling for a start after coming off the bench to set up Folarin Balogun's first goal for Arsenal against Molde.

Balogun has given Arteta food for thought when it comes to attacking options, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's recent struggles in front of goal well-documented, but Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both started in Norway and the former could captain the Gunners from the off once again on Thursday.

ID:424596: cacheID:424596:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8261:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on November 22, 2020
Read Next:
A look at what has changed at Arsenal since Mikel Arteta replaced Unai Emery
>
Latest Sports Video

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City30225364214371
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd29169456322457
3Leicester CityLeicester29175753322156
4Chelsea29149644251951
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham28146842321048
6Liverpool29137948361246
7Everton28144104037346
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs28136947301745
9Aston Villa271251039281141
10Arsenal28125113729841
11Crystal Palace29107123147-1637
12Leeds UnitedLeeds28113144346-336
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2998122838-1035
14Southampton2996143651-1533
15Burnley2989122237-1533
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28611112936-729
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2877142845-1728
18Fulham29511132236-1426
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2939172057-3718
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2942231650-3414

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!