Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League this season meaning they will once again have to take the Europa League step towards success.
And they kick off their UEL campaign this week when the Gunners travel to Germany to take on Eintracht Frankfurt.
Arsenal have been drawn in Group F and there shouldn’t really break a sweat in order to qualify for the next round but playing away from home, Unai Emery’s men could be in for a tough night since Eintracht are unbeaten at the Commerzbank-Arena in five competitive outings this season, conceding only twice.
While major reports claim the Gunners boss will rest a number of his key players but we believe Emery will field a strong first XI especially after drawing their previous Premier League match vs Watford.
Arsenal team news vs Eintracht:
Unai Emery has been using a back-four this season and he will surely use the same formation at the back on Thursday meaning both David Luiz and Sokratis will play in central defence.
Both these defenders were at fault when Arsenal conceded during the 2-2 draw vs the Hornets on Sunday and some rumours claim Callum Chambers could come into the first XI meaning one of the senior central defenders could be rested.
Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney have returned back to training but the full-backs are still a fair bit away from returning back to match fitness meaning Maitland Niles and Kolasinac will play as the right and the left full-back respectively.
Dani Ceballos should keep his place in the first XI but Matteo Guendouzi could be rested as Lucas Torreira comes in to replace him for the Eintracht vs Arsenal.
Some rumour claim Joe Willock could also come into the starting XI but we don’t think the manager will risk playing the youngster in a way game so early into the season.
Mesut Ozil should also keep his place which means Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe will play up front.
The absence of Alexandre Lacazette means Arsenal will not start the match with a conventional No 9 and Auba and Pepe will have to take on the goal-scoring duties in Germany.
Reiss Nelson came off the bench in the second half vs Watford on Sunday and the youngster could get around 20 odd minutes during the Eintracht vs Arsenal match more so if Unai Emery needs to add some fresh legs towards the end of the game.
Arsenal vs Eintracht: Gunners’ predicted XI
Starting XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Torreira, Ceballos/Willock, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang.
