Red Star Belgrade make the trip to North London to take on Arsenal tonight as they look to get their Europa League campaign back on track. The Serbian side will feel hard done-by after their 1-0 loss to the Gunners two weeks ago, having enjoyed a level match until losing a player to a red card with 10 minutes left to play.
Arsenal took full advantage in opening up their defence through a delightful team goal, and it would have been of little surprise had we managed to muster up another goal following their dismissal. Before the red card the match could literally have gone either way.
We sit pretty on top of the group at present, with three wins from three, and another victory today will seal our place in the knock-out stages, and possibly cement us in top spot should BATE fail to beat FC Koln.
Arsenal have been eager to use the full breadth of their squad in the competition thus far, and you would firmly expect the fringe players of the first-team squad to feature once again, including starts for Reiss Nelson, Chris Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Predicted XI:
Macey
Holding Elneny Monreal
Nelson Willock Coquelin Maitland-Niles
Walcott Wilshere
Giroud
This team didn’t fill their boots away to the Serbian side, but our opponents are known for being particularly strong in their home stadium, and I feel we will put them to the sword away from their usual comfortable surroundings.
Theo Walcott usually enjoys these outings and will be my pick to open the scoring tonight, and I can’t help but think that we will be able to control our opponents much the better tonight than we did previously.
I’m going for a comfortable 4-0 win, but what are your predictions?
Pat J