Predicted Arsenal Line-up To Face BATE Borisov In The Europa League

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal were back to winning ways in the league, courtesy of a 2-0 victory over West Brom in a Monday-night kickoff. They are quickly back in action as they play their second group stage game in the Europa League competition, against BATE Borisov, a top-flight club from Belarus.

The Gunners will look to get things done quickly, to move on to their next PL encounter at the weekend but will be happy with nothing less than all three points.

Team News

The likes of Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Calum Chambers and Danny Welbeck are all on the injury list and remain the only absentees for the Gunners from this tie. However, Wenger is expected to rotate his squad, playing three games in less than seven days.

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Manager: Arsene Wenger

GK – David Ospina

After a decent performance in the League Cup last time around, Ospina will once again get his chance to impress Wenger in this UEL tie.

CB – Rob Holding

The youngster has not been able to break into the first team recently in the league but could start this game on the right-hand side of the back-3.

CB – Per Mertesacker

The German defender has been used extensively in cup competitions and he is expected to start at the heart of the defence for the Gunners.

CB – Nacho Monreal

The experienced full-back turned centre-back, Monreal has been terrific in this new role and will complete Arsenal’s defensive line for this game.

RWB – Hector Bellerin

Lack of options should see Wenger use Bellerin in his natural right wing-back role against Borisov.

CM – Aaron Ramsey

The Welsh international is one of the first names on the team sheet and given his fitness levels, he should start this game.

CM – Alex Iwobi

Having played as a part of a two-man midfield successfully in Arsenal’s first UEL game, Iwobi is expected to partner Ramsey in the middle, to add some fluidity to the side.

LWB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

The youngster has been exceptional whenever he’s been called upon and he deserves to start this game as a wing-back on the left-hand side.

RAM – Mesut Ozil

The German playmaker was back from injury and got 10 minutes under his belt against West Brom. He is expected to start this game but should not get more than an hour.

LAM – Theo Walcott

The English winger has only been used in cup competitions this season and this is yet another chance for him to earn some trust yet again.

ST – Olivier Giroud

With Welbeck out injured, Wenger has no choice but to use Giroud to lead the line, giving Alexandre Lacazette a break.

The likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Jack Wilshere, Mohamed Elneny, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette are all expected to make the bench.

Here is how Arsenal could line up: