Europa League: Matchday 2

At some point this season we might find out who or what this team is all about. Are they tough and determined, or are they not.

Sooner or later the true essence of this team must emerge. Emery has toyed with multiple starting XI’s but is yet to find the right mix. Weaknesses still flair up in the back four far too often leaving our lads scrambling to find a point by the end of 90 minutes.

Today, it looks like Tierney and Bellerin will get starting assignments at the fullback positions. Is this the combo we have been waiting for, and will it bring the success will all hope it will? Skill, pace and experience will come in to play not only today but in competitions ahead, and these two players bring that to the pitch. Not only will be asked to add punch to the offense, they will also be challenged to retreat quickly to help a back line prone to miscues and allowing sloppy goals.

Three other questions might also get answered today. Will Ozil start (play), will Pepe get off the mark and begin racking up goals, and will Emery favor Ceballos in the starting XI over Torreira? Our manager needs to begin focussing on a primary XI that is consistent and plays together a lot. Not saying we don’t have other great players or that we don’t need some rotation…but our club needs a nucleus, a spine and some steady leadership. You don’t see Tom Brady coming off the bench!

Today’s match will be a very good test against a good Standard Liege club. They recorded a clean sheet vs. Vitoria in Matchday 1, and they currently are 2nd in the Belgian First Division with 6W – 1D – 2L. In league play their defense looks secure giving up only 7 goals in 9 games. Maxine Lestimienne leads their attack with 5 goals this campaign, while Vanja Milinkovic-Savic defends his goal quite well and has 3 cleans sheets to his credit.

With all of that said this game needs to be treated like a Premier League match. Here is my suggested starting XI…

Martinez, Tierney, Luiz, Holding, Bellerin, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ceballos, Ozil, Pepe, Aubameyang (4-2-1-3)

Prediction: Arsenal 4 – Standard Liege 2 (Pepe scores 2)

Game time is 3 pm EDT on B/R Live.

COYG!

Cheers. Gunner 1953