Arsenal will make the trip to Dundalk this evening for their Europa League clash, and are expected to ring the changes having secure top spot already.
The Gunners have won all five of their EL games so far this season to cement their place as group winners with a match to spare, and this is expected to allow the boss to blood some youngsters into the side.
Mikel Arteta revealed that he had left a number of players ‘at home’ for the clash this evening, increasing the likelihood that we could see a very young and inexperienced side tonight, but the boss didn’t name any names that would be missing.
Had our Under-21 side not been in action on Tuesday, we could well have seen a number of youth products like Miguel Azeez and Ben Cottrell starting tonight, but they both played around 75 minutes of action (according to Football.London), and even a place on the bench could be unlikely.
Arsenal.com has confirmed that Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli are ruled out of the clash, but have no other absentees for the clash.
Predicted XI:
Runarsson
Cedric Chambers Mari Kolasinac
Smith Rowe Nelson AMN
Pepe Balogun Nketiah
While this line-up is pretty much a guessing game, I’m 99% certain that Nketiah, Mari, Smith Rowe and Nelson will be starting.
This team should still have more than enough firepower to keep up our 100% record in the competition thus far, while also giving plenty of minutes to our younger contingent.
Who else do you expect to get a start this evening? Could Azeez or Cottrell still be in contention despite featuring on Tuesday?
Patrick
Balogun was left out on Tuesday suggesting he may be playing a bigger role tonight. Hoping he starts alongside Nketiah.
I’d love to see more of Azeez and Cottrel in the first team too. They’ve been outstanding along with Taylor-Hart for the U23s.
Let’s hope so SeanM.I have heard good reports on Azeez from a friend who thinks he could make the grade.Not having seen the lad I am unable to judge but perhaps someone could enlighten me as to his strengths and weaknesses, if he has any?
Apparently Nelson is left out as a precaution, following an accidental clash of heads during training….
Disappointing but good to see them taking concessions seriously after the Luiz debacle. Different sport but the articles on BBC Sport yesterday about the devastating impact of head injuries in rugby were heartbreaking to read.
Yes, Trudeau, and what a debacle it was.
I agree, it was heartbreaking..
RETUNE FOR OZIL
He wasn’t Registered so he can’t play
Kolasinac and Nelson are injured so won’t be playing.
I’m hoping Balogun and Moller get some action tonight.
Hopefully Cedric and AMN won’t play as I think they are needed against Burnley in our relegation 6 pointer😜.
Bellerin should play tonight to get some throw in practice🤣.
@Declan 🤣🤣🤣
ESR starts 👍 Balogun on the bench 👎
COYG
Arsenal team: Runarsson, Chambers, Mari, Mustafi (c), Cedric, Smith Rowe, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Pepe, Nketiah
Subs: Macey, Hein, Saka, Ceballos, Holding, Balogun, Cottrell, Azeez
Hopefully Elneny and AMN are subbed after 45 minutes to keep the fresh for a start on Sunday. Great to see ESR get a start.
You will be making some deluded comments about how players should be played or dropped as if you don’t know how our coach operates
Yes let’s hope, Trudeau. I’m buzzing for ESR!!