Monday night saw Manchester United and Arsenal play to a blah 1-1 draw that served as a sharp reminder about just how far both sides fallen from the top. Both clubs might want to start prioritizing the Europa League competition a bit more. Arsenal have missed out on Champions League the past three seasons, and winning this tournament might be their best route back to the big boy table of Europe.
Up next is a visit from Standard Liege in UEL group stage play. Let’s take a look at the Gunners team news, and make a prediction on what Unai Emery’s first team could be.
Defenders Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding could all get a start, as the trio are looking to build up their full 90 minutes match fitness after having started the season on the sidelines. None of the triad featured at Old Trafford last night.
Big money summer signing Nicolas Pepe has been a flop so far, failing to come remotely close to living up to expectations early on. The best thing for the Ivorian is to keep getting time, and then seizing upon those opportunities.
Look for him to get a starting assignment in the final third while Alexandre Lacazette remains out with an ankle injury, and Emile Smith Rowe continues recovering from the concussion he suffered in the FA Cup.
Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction vs Standard Liege
Gabriel Martinelli Reiss Nelson Nicolas Pepe
Lucas Torreira Joe Willock Mesut Ozil
Hector Bellerin Rob Holding Shkodran Mustafi Kieran Tierney
Emiliano Martinez
Arsenal FC vs Standard Liege UEFA Europa League FYIs
Kickoff: Emirates Stadium, London, Thursday Oct 3, 8pm
TV: BT Sport 2
Referee: Sandro Schärer
Prediction: Arsenal 3, Standard Liege 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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