Arsenal will hope to make up for their dreadful second-half showing against Watford to overpower Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and get their European campaign off to a flyer. Indeed, given the defensive struggles in the Premier League this far, this is obviously a competition that offers another avenue into next season’s Champions League.
After going two goals to the good thanks to Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, the Hornets produced a dominant second-half display to draw 2-2 and pile the pressure on Unai Emery, prompting talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham to suggest he should be sacked.
Frankfurt away from home, on paper, are by far the Gunners’ toughest group game in the Europa League given their pedigree in the competition having reached the semi-final last season and they will have to be at their best to leave Germany with a positive result.
So with that in mind, here’s our starting line-up prediction for Arsenal’s game against Frankfurt.
Emiliano Martinez has been given guarantees in regards to starting in cup competitions (per Football.London), so he is expected to be in-between the sticks with Bernd Leno rested.
Callum Chambers has made just one start in the Premier League this season but since Ainsley Maitland-Niles hasn’t had a rest thus far and was said to have looked nervous at Vicarage Road according to the Daily Express, perhaps taking him out of the firing line and turning to the former Southampton man could be a better option.
Shkodran Mustafi hasn’t been involved at all for Arsenal this season but could be given a chance to impress in Germany, according to Football.London and, while the German isn’t exactly the most popular amongst the club’s fanbase, it’s not as if Sokratis covered himself in glory against Watford with his glaring mistake.
Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson are two youth products that could be involved from the start seeing as both came on against Watford and have been trusted in the first-team this season, affording them valuable experience.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will surely once again lead the line with Alexandre Lacazette unavailable due to injury and, with the German outfit, conceding 5 goals in four domestic games thus far, might fancy his chances.
How would you line up? Join the discussion by commenting below…
