Arsenal manager Unai Emery has opted for a three-man backline for his side’s UEFA Europa League contest against Vitoria SC on Wednesday evening.
Arsenal will field a three-man defence when they lock horns against Portuguese outfit Vitoria de Guimaraes at Estadio D. Afonso Henriques on Wednesday.
The three-man backline for the Gunners will comprise of Sokratis Papastathopoulos along with Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding, both of whom are back in the side for the European fixture. Emiliano Martinez starts in goal in place of Bernd Leno.
We've made 8️⃣ changes for today's @EuropaLeague clash with @VitoriaSC1922
⛔️ @RobHolding95 and @MustafiOfficial return
⚡️ @Ains_7 and @kierantierney1 at wing-back
? Nico, Gabi and @BukayoSaka87 up top? #UEL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 6, 2019
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Kieran Tierney start as the two full-backs for Arsenal, meaning both Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac miss out of the starting XI. The two-man midfield unit is made of on-loan star Dani Ceballos and youngster Joe Willock with Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi providing options from the bench.
Nicolas Pepe starts in attack for Arsenal having been an unused substitute in last week’s 1-1 draw against Wolves in the Premier League. Bukayo Saka also returns to the starting lineup for the Gunners against Vitoria SC while Gabriel Martinelli continues to spearhead the attack for Unai Emery’s side in the Europa League, with Alexandre Lacazette on the bench.
Arsenal Confirmed XI: Martinez; Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding; Maitland-Niles, Ceballos, Willock, Tierney; Pepe, Martinelli, Saka