Unai Emery has come in for some criticism over his constant team rotation and confusing match selections, however, on this occasion I am fairly confident he will go with as close a team as possible to the one that beat Napoli 2-0 at the Emirates in the last round of the Europa League.
Obviously, there will be no Aaron Ramsey this time around but it seems that Granit Xhaka is pencilled in for that role this evening.
The only other possible change from the win over Napoli could be Mustafi in for Monreal if the latter fails a late fitness test.
In goal Emery will stick with Cech in goal, I find it inconceivable that he will drop the former Arsenal number one now.
In defence, I expect the back three will be Sokratis, Koscielny and Monreal, though as previously stated Mustafi is the alternative for the Spaniard in the event he is not deemed fit to start.
Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles will be used as the wing backs with Torreira and Xhaka in the middle. Ozil will start behind the front two of Lacazette and Aubameyang.
Predicted line-up
Cech
Maitland Niles
Sokratis
Koscielny
Monreal
Kolasinac
Torreira
Xhaka
Ozil
Lacazette
Aubameyang
Confidence is not at the same level it was prior to the Napoli games but the same also applies to Valencia who are not in the same place as they were before they dispatched Villarreal in the previous round.
But we are very strong at the Emirates, yes we lost to Crystal Palace but Valencia did no better losing to Eibar at home last time out, it is not as if we are facing a team flying in their domestic league who are in much better shape than us right now.
All things considered, with home advantage, I am very confident that we will emerge the victors in the first leg and not concede a goal either.
Predicted score.
Arsenal 2-0