Arsenal go into their Europa League contest with Eintracht Frankfurt off the back of a six-game winless run across all competitions as pressure begins to mount on Unai Emery.
The Gunners face a Frankfurt side whose 5-1 demolition of Bayern Munich led to the sacking of Niko Kovac, and a similar result in London could see the Spaniard meet the same fate.
Match Preview
© Reuters
Arsenal have failed to win in their last six games across all competitions and the pressure is growing on under-fire coach Unai Emery.
Three draws and two defeats in the Premier League has seen the gap between the Gunners and the top four grow to eight points, with Arsenal slipping into eighth in the table.
Arsenal have not even found respite in the cup competitions, despite having started so promisingly in both the Europa League and the EFL Cup, drawing 1-1 with Vitoria de Guimares in the former and going out on penalties after a bonkers 5-5 draw at Anfield in the latter against a weakened Liverpool side.
However, a win against their German opponents would be enough to secure their status as group winners, and just a point is needed to guarantee their place in the knockout stages.
The last meeting between the two ended well for Arsenal, who recorded a 3-0 win in Germany after Dominik Kohr's red card was punished with two late goals.
Frankfurt have struggled of late, losing each of their last three across all competitions since their emphatic thumping of reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern.
However, they are still very much in contention to qualify and are level on points with Standard Liege in the group, but are behind only on goals scored.
Any unlikely points in London would go a long way towards their progression to the knockout stages after a mixed season as they struggle to adapt to life without either Luka Jovic or Sebastian Haller.
Arsenal form: DLDDLD
Eintracht Frankfurt form: LWWLLL
Team News
© Reuters
Arsenal are without on-loan midfielder Dani Ceballos due to a thigh problem, and he has been ruled out of the game.
The Gunners must also assess Sead Kolasinac, Rob Holding and Bukayo Saka, who are all struggling with injuries and may not be risked.
However, Emery is likely to make as many changes as he can, as is his policy with the early rounds of the cup competitions.
Frankfurt are without two long-term absentees in defender Marco Russ and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Aside from the pair, they have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Chambers, Mustafi, Mavropanos, Tierney; Torreira, Willock; Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Nelson; Martinelli
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Abraham, Hasebe, Hinteregger; Da Costa, Fernandes, Rode, Kostic; Sow; Paciencia, Silva
We say: Arsenal 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Arsenal seem to be in a rut at the moment and Emery appears to be crumbling under the pressure. He can't seem to help himself but invite pressure after taking the lead and yet another disappointing home performance could spell the end for the Spaniard.
