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[Image] My 4-2-3-1 Arsenal line-up to face Frankfurt: Brazilian teen starts, no Auba

By on September 19, 2019

gabriel Martinelli arsenal

Arsenal get their Europa League campaign underway with a tough trip to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt this evening. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Martinez

Martinez will be given a chance to impress in the Europa League and he seems keen to take it. Leno is our established No.1 but this is Emi’s chance to give Emery a tough decision.

Defence: Mustafi, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac

We should see plenty of changes in defence but unfortunately Bellerin and Tierney are still not available despite returning to full training. The full-backs are expected to turn out for the U23s in order to build-up their fitness before Emery picks them for the first team.

It means we don’t have too many options in the full-back areas so Kolasinac may have to continue at left-back as none of the youngster defenders have travelled with the squad. However, as much as I don’t really want him anywhere near the starting eleven, Mustafi could get a run-out at right-back to give Maitland-Niles a rest.

Holding is back in the squad after returning to full fitness following a knee injury and I hope we see him starting against Frankfurt. The Arsenal defence has been a shambles once again this season so let’s hope Holding can get back to top form quickly as he should walk into the team right now.

Sokratis hasn’t travelled to Germany following his mistake against Watford last weekend so I hope we see Chambers given another chance as he was harshly dropped as soon as Luiz arrived.

dani ceballos arsenal

Midfield: Torreira, Willock, Ceballos

This is a great opportunity to see how the Arsenal midfield could function without Xhaka. I’ve been calling for the Swiss international to be dropped for some time and Emery is expected to rest him this evening so it’s Torreira’s chance to show he’s the man for the holding role.

Willock should also be recalled in place of Guendouzi as the Frenchman needs a rest following his below par display during Arsenal’s horrific draw at Watford while I’d like to see Ceballos given another start.

Attack: Pepe, Nelson, Martinelli

Lacazette remains out with an ankle injury and Aubameyang has travelled but it would be utter madness to risk him from the start in the Europa League. I have a horrible feeling Emery will start him but I’d leave Auba on the bench against Frankfurt and only use him if we absolutely have to.

Obviously that would leave a void needing to be filled up front and we don’t have too many options with Nketiah on loan at Leeds, however, Pepe is capable of playing through the middle so I’d go with the Ivorian and hope he bags a morale-boosting goal.

Nelson should start this evening and the Europa League will be a great opportunity for him to get plenty of first team minutes and build some confidence. I’ve been disappointed with his performances so far this season so hopefully he can start to show what he’s really capable of.

We don’t have too many options on the left side of attack but I’d give Martinelli a run-out. The Brazilian is a real talent and could swap flanks with Nelson throughout the game as neither are natural left wingers.

Saka and Smith Rowe would be options from the bench along with Aubameyang. This is the starting eleven I hope we’ll see from Arsenal:

football formations

As I say, this is the side I’d go with but I suspect Emery is going to pick a stronger side with Auba, Maintland-Niles and possibly Luiz all keeping their places. Let’s hope we get the win but no injuries to key players is just as important this evening!