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
If Emery opts for 3-4-1-2, the line-up would most likely be like that. However there is also a possibility for 4-2-3-1 since we will play at home
Our midfielders are not creative and not skilled enough to control the game, hence Arsenal should depend on their wide players and CBs to score a quick goal
If Emery chooses both Aubameyang and Lacazette to start, I hope they can provide the width for the team
S…t team no chance of winning so 2-0 Valencia ???
The Bats are not in a good shape as well
They have pacey wingers like Cherysev and Guedes, but most of them are overrated
If they provide widths for the team who is going to do their own job of scoring. See man, our problem is not all this formations you keep drawing out every article. Our problem is our lack of distinctive approach to the game. Of course Emery we want to win every game but his problem is on how. We don’t have clear methodology. Are we defending or attacking or doing both. Watching yesterday match, I saw 2 coaches who know what the want and how to accomplish it. They don’t just pass the ball around at the back, in the middle or at the front and keep possession of the ball for keeping sake, they attacked with it. So you can play 5-5-0, 4-6-0 etc and still win if you have clear methodology. Emery is good but he thinks too much.
Mobella I hope we are not out to play left right, left right, back. Then left right left righ middle, then back. I mean this is the worst form of football I have ever watched. We only move forward after we have played the ball within ourselves for (something that seems like forever) then we try to move forward but by then the opposition is on top our defenders. Ok that feels like a doomed football but I still want us to win. Even if we craw to get a win I don’t mind, any formation i don’t mind, and players I still don’t mind. Am just desperate for a win.
I predict the same crap as usual!
You can do all the mental gymnastics about this and that Formation all you like.
It all means fck all if the players have Koala Bear kind of mentality. Cute on the eyes but absolutely toothless when it matters.
Can’t wait for the season to end so that we can find out if this dead wood can offloaded. Keep the new signings (Torreira, Auba, Laca, Guendouzi, Leno, Sokratis). Keep some young stars too.
Then get rid of all the other players that have been here for more than 4 seasons. I can dream. Isn’t it?
A bit tough on Koalas, which are marsupials unrelated to bears and spend most of their lives high on eucalyptus leaves or sleeping. (LOL)
Arsenal 3-0 Valencia
Predicted Line-up
…………………..Leno.
Bosscielny…Sokratis…Monreal
Niles……Torreira..Xhaka….Kolsanic
………………Ozil or Mkhy
Aubameyang………Lacazette
Subs used: Guendouzi, Iwobi, Ozil/Mkhy
It will be Cech in goal.
Oops. Cheers mate
I guess Emery can stop playing Auba and Lacazette together. It doesn’t make much difference. Better off with one of them in 1st eleven and another on the bench ready to come on later in the game.Nketiah definitely not ready.
Nketiah has not been giving opportunities as Iwobi . Iwobi lacks stamina and tends to over think and dance in his decision making to dribble an opponent. Whereas Nketiah is more like Lacazette and can score goals with both feet. I say Emery should give him more opportunities to prove himself.
I will be very pleasantly surprised if Valencia fail to score tonight Would settle for a 1-0 win.