Arsenal start their Europa League group stage campaign with an away trip to FC Zurich this evening. The Gunners saw their perfect start to the season end with a 3-1 Premier League loss to Manchester United on Sunday, and Mikel Arteta will want a strong response. The Spaniard is still expected to make numerous changes to the starting line-up, considering a few of them may need to be rested after starting six games on the bounce.
Arsenal’s expected line-up:
Matt Turner looks set for his competitive Arsenal debut. The United States international is likely to remain the Gunners’ first-choice keeper during the group stage of the Europa League. Aaron Ramsdale could feature in the knockout phase if the club qualify.
In defence, we anticipate at least three changes. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are widely expected to take up the right and left-back roles respectively. The duo have a point to prove after losing their spots to Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko this campaign.
Rob Holding should get his first start of the season in central defence. Mikel Arteta may have to choose between Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and William Saliba for the other centre-back role with the lack of extra senior options. We are fancying Gabriel to get the nod among the trio.
In midfield, Albert Sambi Lokonga should feature as the holding midfielder with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny still injured. Fabio Vieira could make his full Arsenal debut alongside Martin Odegaard. The duo could play just in front of Lokonga. Granit Xhaka deserves a breather after playing almost every minute.
Further forward, Marquinhos could make his Arsenal debut from the right wing. Gabriel Martinelli could feature on the opposite flank once more. Eddie Nketiah looks set to start up front for the first time this campaign. He has been restricted to cameo roles so far this term.
Expected Arsenal line-up (4-3-3) vs FC Zurich: Turner; Tomiyasu; Holding; Gabriel; Tierney; Lokonga; Odegaard; Vieira; Martinelli; Nketiah; Marquinhos