Alexandre Lacazette returns to the starting lineup as Arsenal get set to face Standard Liege at Stade Maurice Dufrasne in a UEFA Europa League Group L clash.
Freddie Ljungberg has made wholesale changes to the side that came from behind to beat West Ham United in the Premier League earlier this week as Arsenal prepare to lock horns with Standard Liege in their final group stage fixture in the UEFA Europa League.
The changes begin right at the back, with Emiliano Martinez taking his customary place in goal for a Europa League encounter. The defensive line in front of him seems to be taking the shape of a back-three, with Sokratis, David Luiz and Konstantinos Mavropanos partnering up as the three central defenders.
? Here’s our team in Belgium tonight…
?? @DMavropanos handed a start
?? @MatteoGuendouzi returns to the XI
??????? @ReissNelson9 and @EmileSmithRowe both start
?? @LacazetteAlex leads the line? #UEL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 12, 2019
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is the only player other than Sokratis to hold on to his spot from the match against the Hammers earlier this week. Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock are the beneficiaries of the shuffles in the middle of the park, with Emile Smith Rowe taking up an advanced midfield role.
Alexandre Lacazette leads the line for Arsenal against Standard Liege, with support coming in the form of Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Smith Rowe. Zech Medley, James Olayinka and Tyreece John-Jules are among the academy graduates who will hope to make an appearance later on in the game.
Arsenal Starting XI: Martinez; Sokratis, Luiz, Mavropanos; Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Willock, Saka; Nelson, Smith Rowe; Lacazette