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[Image] Martinelli & Ceballos start – How Arsenal should line-up vs Olympiacos

By on February 26, 2020

gabriel martinelli 2019

Arsenal entertain Olympiacos in the Europa League at the Emirates on Thursday night. Here’s the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

I like that Arteta went with Bernd Leno in the first leg as the Europa League is a top priority for Arsenal so we should go with our No.1 in goal. After keeping three consecutive clean sheets our defence was back to making basic errors against Everton but I still wouldn’t change too much tomorrow night.

Hector Bellerin should continue at right-back while I’d stick with Shkodran Mustafi alongside David Luiz. The pair had been playing very well together recently so I’d leave Sokratis on the bench. Rob Holding is struggling for game time right now but hopefully he gets a start in the FA Cup against Portsmouth on Monday.

Sead Kolasinac has been ruled out after suffering a serious shoulder injury against Everton. Kieran Tierney is back in full training but he lacks fitness so Bukayo Saka should continue at left-back as the youngster has been superb recently.

Ceballos starts

Lucas Torreira hasn’t started the last two games so I hope he’s recalled tomorrow night with Granit Xhaka given a rest. I’m glad to see Dani Ceballos back in the team recently as I think he offers something different and I’m intrigued to see how a partnership with Torreira could flourish.

dani ceballos arsenal

Matteo Guendouzi should remain on the bench against Olympiacos before being recalled for the FA Cup clash while Joe Willock may also have to settle for a sub role tomorrow evening.

I hope we see Mesut Ozil continuing in the No.10 position as we can’t take any chances against the Greek outfit and Mesut’s creativity will be important as Arsenal look to put the tie to bed.

Martinelli in

This game is more important than the FA Cup trip to Portsmouth so hopefully Arteta resists the temptation to rest Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon hitman is undoubtedly Arsenal’s most important player and he scored another brace at the weekend. Auba has performed very well on the left wing but I still think we should be playing our best player in his best position so I’d start him through the middle.

That would mean Alexandre Lacazette remaining on the bench. The Frenchman was named as a sub against Everton with Eddie Nketiah preferred up front so the chances are Arteta will recall Laca tomorrow night.

However, I’d prefer to see Auba through the middle with Gabriel Martinelli coming-in on the left wing as I think we’re more balanced like that. Plus, Martinelli deserves to start as he’s been excellent in recent weeks.

Reiss Nelson is pushing for a recall after recovering from a thigh injury but I’d stick with Nicolas Pepe on the right wing and give Nelson a start in the FA Cup on Monday night.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations