In Europa League competition this season, Arsenal have been perfect thus far. They are heavily favored to stay that way, and if they beat Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates tonight, they’ll clinch passage into the knockout round. Coming off a draw against Liverpool on the weekend, an outing that validates the Gunners’ league title contention bonafides, they will have some healthy confidence in this one.
Taking care of business here would mean the last two UEL group stage clashes would be without consequence for Arsenal, and thus present an opportunity to give youth and fringe players some major minutes.
You’ll see plenty of back ups on the pitch for this match too. Look for manager Unai Emery to shuffle his squad, and this is who we’re hypothesizing he’ll put in his first team.
The Bank Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction
Attack: Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Midfield: Aaron Ramsey, Matteo Guendouzi, Mohamed Elneny
Back Line: Stephan Lichtsteiner, Nacho Monreal, Rob Holding, Sokratis
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
Arsenal FC vs Sporting Lisbon FYIs
Kickoff, TV: Thursday, Nov. 8, 8pm, Emirates Stadium
Odds via Bet365: Arsenal FC 2/7, Draw 4/1, Sporting Lisbon 11/1
Injury Report/ Match Preview: go to this link
Prediction: Arsenal FC 3, Sporting Lisbon 1
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.