Arsenal take on Napoli at the Emirates in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
And Unai Emery’s men will be looking to shake off the defeat which they suffered at the hands of Everton in the Premier League last Sunday.
The Arsenal vs Napoli clash is easily the biggest highlight of the Europa League this week but this match is also a double-edged sword for the Gunners. Since a loss in this tie could very well dent their Champions League hopes for next season.
Arsenal news vs Napoli:
Here’s are the key highlights for Arsenal going into the Napoli tie on Thursday:
- Mesut Ozil had been starting a couple of games for the Gunners during the past fortnight but after his poor show vs the Toffees, the German will drop back to the bench.
2. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang started on the bench against Everton but the Gabon international should return back to the first XI on Thursday.
3. Aaron Ramsey should be fit enough to be given a start in the Europa League clash.
4. Sokratis will be coming back from suspension and will start in a three-man defensive line which should also include Laurent Koscielny as the Frenchman is expected to return back from injury.
5. Granit Xhaka missed the Everton game with an injury but the Swiss should take up his place in central midfield alongside Torreira.
6. Alex Iwobi is expected to start in the attacking third replacing Mesut Ozil.
7. Petr Cech has been the European keeper for Arsenal and the soon-to-be-retiring keeper will replace Bernd Leno in front of the sticks.
Arsenal news: Gunners’ predicted XI
First XI: Cech, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny; Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Ramsey; Aubameyang.
