There is no doubt that Unai Emery will be rotating his players again when Sporting Club de Portugal come to the Emirates on Thursday, but he just seems to know exactly which team to play to continue our unbeaten run. A victory for Arsenal means they will have an unassailable lead at the top of the Group and are guaranteed to go through as Group Winners.
As Bernd Leno said: “On Thursday we have to win, then the group is finished for us. Maybe we can change a lot of players then as we have a lot of games in November and December.
“We want to win this game because Sporting is the biggest team with us in this group. The first round of the Europa League is then over and we will be first.”
Leno played in our earlier Group games, but after playing against Liverpool at the Weekend, Petr Cech is more likely to start on Thursday and Leno reckons that the competition for places is making everyone work harder. “First of all, it gives me confidence to play in big games like this. But I think he pushes us because nobody is safe to play.
“Both of us will play many games this season and so the performances have to be good. We push each other every day in training and in the games.
“I am proud and happy the coach decided on me and I will give my best performances so that won’t change.”
So it looks like Emery is giving everyone a chance to make the first team, but which team will he play on Thursday bearing in mind we want all three points and also that we need to be fit to face Wolves on Sunday?
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