Arsenal take on Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday and going into this game, Unai Emery is expected to make a couple of tweaks to his first XI.
Both these teams along with Chelsea are amongst the favourites to win this tournament and given that their top-four position in the Premier League is already under threat this encounter at the Emirates becomes even more vital. Winning the Europa League ensure a direct entry in the Champions League next season and Arsenal along with Chelsea will both be looking at this as a viable option.
Arsenal news: Injuries and team news
Injuries:
1 Granit Xhaka has been recovering from a groin strain and most reports claim that the midfielder should be fit to start vs Napoli on Thursday.
2 Laurent Koscielny like Xhaka missed the Everton game due to a bruised foot but the Frenchman is expected to be available for selection.
3 Apart from these two players the rest(like Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck) are all long-term absentees and will not be available for selection vs Napoli.
Team news:
1 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.
