Unai Emery names a youthful side to face Standard Liege while also starting full-back duo Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney, but Mesut Ozil drops out.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has named a lineup that boasts experience and youth, similar to the first matchday. Emiliano Martinez, as expected, replaces Bernd Leno in goal, while Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding form the central defensive pair. Returning full-back duo Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney start, with the Spaniard being named the captain on the evening.
? Tonight's team news is in!
?? @HectorBellerin starts
??????? @ReissNelson9 returns
??????? @KieranTierney1 also named in starting XI? #UEL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 3, 2019
Emery has preferred to start Joe Willock in central midfield, and the youngster will be partnered by Lucas Torreira. Dani Ceballos finds himself in the No. 10 role, as Emery decides to drop Mesut Ozil altogether from the matchday squad. The German has not started a game since featuring against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.
On the attacking front, Ainsley Maitland-Niles finds himself on the right flank, while Reiss Nelson is preferred to Bukayo Saka on the left. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is given a breather as Gabriel Martinelli starts in his place as Arsenal’s central striker.
The Arsenal bench looks like a strong one, with the likes of Leno, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, Matteo Guendouzi, Aubameyang, Granit Xhaka and Nicolas Pepe all making the matchday squad.
