Mikel Arteta has downplayed the possibility of either Alexandre Lacazette or Kieran Tierney making their return to action for Arsenal on Thursday.
The Gunners will welcome Villarreal to the Emirates in the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final clash in a few days, knowing they have to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
The manager had claimed before the first leg that the duo, along with David Luiz and Aubameyang were in contention to play, but he now claims that neither player has returned to full training with the squad as of yet.
'Unlikely' – Arteta admits both Laca and Tierney are yet to train with the team with only days until our crunch semi-final clash with Villarreal on Thursday 🙄🙄🙄
What's our best possible XI without these two and Luiz available? 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/gZU0OASrur
— Just Arsenal News (@JustArsenal) May 3, 2021
Which starting XI would you hope to see if Laca, Kieran and Luiz are all confirmed as missing the clash?
Patrick
Ryan
Chambers,Holding, Gabriel
Cedric, Partey, Xhaka, Saka,
ESR, Auba, Martinelli.
Arteta is unlikely to switch to back three for the Villareal match, but this is the side he should have played in the first leg last week.Its a toss up between ESR and Pepe for me and Odegaard has not done enough against Villareal and Newcastle to justify inclusion in my opinion.
Leno, Chambers, Mari, Holding, Cedric
Saka, Partey, Xhaka,Pepe
Odegaard, Auba
Would be my choice but MA will select
Leno, Chambers, Mari, Holding, Xhaka
Saka, Partey, Elneny, Pepe
ESR, Auba
I think the bench will be very important and Odegaard and Martinelli can play a part later on. If I was MA I wouldn’t risk my future on an untried CF in Martinelli even though he has bags of potential.
Ryan
Bellerin holding Mari Cedric/Xhaka
Partey Xhaka/Rowe
Saka Odegaard Martinelli
Aubameyang
With Smith-Rowe and Martinelli, the pressure should be less on Xhaka.
What is Arteta trying to do to us, Jesus christ this is going to be basically the most important game of our season, and he’s saying that he won’t rush back Laca or Kieran Tierney or for Auba and David Luiz (which is understandable) but what is up with Auba, cause if we lose this semi-final then we’ve gotta get rid of Arteta come what may!!!!!!!!!!