When Arsenal FC take on FC Vorskla in UEFA Europa League group stage action tonight, the match will seem pretty insignificant in comparison to what is going on in that part of the world right now.
According to the Ukrainian Navy, Sunday saw the Russian coast guard attack and then seize three ships off the coast of Crimea, which resulted in the wounding of six Ukraine sailors. Martial law has since been imposed in certain parts of the country, and that led UEFA to move this match due to “security concerns.”
With that mind, football seems pretty small, but we have a job to do here so let’s preview the match.
The match kicks off Thursday, November 29, 555 pm GMT at Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev. If you look at most betting sites, you’ll see that Arsenal are backed at 19/20 in this one while odds of a draw are at 13/5. If you’re looking to wager on the underdog, FC Vorskla have the long shot backing at 17/4. For the the Arsenal FC injury report in this match, go to this link.
With Premier League fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United looming large and drawing near, the Spaniard was expected to make a massive squad rotation here. With Mesut Ozil being dropped on the weekend, you can bet he’ll be in the first 11 on Thursday night. Let’s take a look at who Unai Emery could start in his first team tomorrow night.
The Bank Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction (4-3-3) vs FC Vorskla
Attacking Players: Emile Smith-Rowe, Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Central Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey, Matteo Guendouzi, Mohamed Elneny
Defenders: Sead Kolasinac, Sokratis, Rob Holding, Carl Jenkinson
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
Prediction: Arsenal 2, FC Vorskla 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.