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23-year-old to start: The Arsenal line-up expected to take on Red Star Belgrade

By on November 2, 2017

Arsenal can secure safe passage to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a win over Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates tonight. Here is the team I think we’ll see Arsene Wenger select….

Goalkeeper: Macey

Ospina is once again out with a groin injury so Wenger has to decide whether to risk Cech or hand young Macey another chance. With a huge trip to Man City coming up on Sunday, it would be crazy to risk Cech so Macey is expected to take the gloves just as the 23-year-old did against Norwich last week.

Defence: Debuchy, Elneny, Holding

The boss has confirmed he’ll stick to his policy of playing the second-string in the cup competitions so Koscielny, Mertesacker and Monreal will all be rested this evening.

Debuchy is set to be given his third start of the season and he’ll be looking to build on a couple of solid displays against Red Star in the reverse fixture and Norwich in the League Cup.

Holding will also start at the back while Elneny is expected to drop in to defence once again as Mustafi and Chambers are still unavailable for selection.

Midfield: Nelson, Willock, Coquelin, Maitland-Niles

I would still prefer to see Wilshere playing in the middle of the park but Wenger has made it clear he sees him as an attacking midfielder in this formation.

Therefore, we should expected to see youngster Joe Willock given another chance to impress alongside Coquelin with Ramsey and Xhaka rested for Sunday.

I still think Ainsley Maitland-Niles is wasted in the left wing-back position but Wenger clearly isn’t going to give him a go in the middle of the park so he should come in for Kolasinac – who’s out with a hip injury.

Bellerin will be given a breather ahead of the trip to the Etihad so Nelson should get another run-out on the right.

arsenal's olivier giroud

Attack: Walcott, Wilshere, Giroud

As I said, Wenger has confirmed Wilshere is now competing for one of the two attacking midfield positions so he’ll be given another chance to impress this evening.

Walcott should also come in to the side with Ozil and Sanchez rested and I hope Theo puts in a better performance than he did against Norwich as he was woeful last week.

Lacazette will get a breather meaning Giroud will come in to lead the line up front but I hope we see young Eddie Nketiah get some minutes off the bench as he deserves it after his heroics last week.

This is the team I think we’ll see later: