There can be no doubt Thursday’s match in the Emirates Stadium is more than a must win, it’s really the season. The Gunners trail Unai Emery’s club, 2-1, however, Arsenal’s away goal could play an important role in the match.
Mikel Arteta has already announced that Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tirenry will not be ready to play, however the boss does have the squad to win this match and move into the Europa League final, probably against Manchester United.
The Gunners put in a good performance on Sunday at Newcastle United, however, Thursday’s match will have more pressure on the players, and a lot more on the line for Arteta’s and his staff.
Emery returns to Emirates Stadium with the hopes of spoiling Arsenal’s Europa League dreams. The Spaniard has won this competition three times while at Sevilla.
With all of that said, here is my predicted starting XI on Thursday…
[4-2-3-1]
Aubameyang
Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka
Partey, Ceballos
Xhaka, Mari, Holding, Chambers
Leno
Predicted final score…
ARSENAL 2 – Villarreal 1 [Aggregate 3-3, with Arsenal winning in shootout, 5-4]
COYG!
Gunner1953
One of my all-time Arsenal players, Olivier Giroud, returns to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. This time as a player for the competition, Lille. Giroud scored 105 goals in 253 appearances for the Gunners.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard on Man City’s punishment. “In terms of how I feel, I potentially could be affected if you like, I wouldn’t want individual players to give stuff back, that wouldn’t be right. But the club, they have to be stripped.”
