Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in what could be termed as the Gunners’ game of the season, with a win imperative to help them get closer to the Europa League trophy.
Arsene Wenger knows the importance of this fixture, and rightly so he took it more seriously than his last trip to Old Trafford as the Arsenal manager. His decision of fielding a very young, inexperienced team against United solely meant he will have his big guns available to play against Atletico Madrid in the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday.
The Arsenal manager rested a host of key players in defence, midfield and attack for the Manchester United trip and all of those who missed out over the weekend are likely to start against Atletico Madrid. Aaron Ramsey, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil, to name a few, are definite starters in Madrid.
David Ospina should continue in goal, and it is believed that Petr Cech’s absence over the weekend was because he still isn’t 100% fit after his recent injury. Ospina has been Arsenal’s regular goalkeeper in the competition, although Cech did play briefly against AC Milan and CSKA Moscow in the run to the semis.
Arsenal’s first-choice central defensive pair, Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny are set to return to the starting lineup, as well as Nacho Monreal who played a part against Manchester United from the bench. Hector Bellerin at right-back will complete Arsenal’s back four.
Among many other players rested over the weekend, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere were part of that group and will definitely return to the lineup against Atletico. Granit Xhaka has been a mainstay in the Arsenal midfield and will undoubtedly start. Meanwhile, Alex Iwobi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who massively impressed against United, are likely to be back on the bench.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s ineligibility means Arsene Wenger is sure to start Alexandre Lacazette as Arsenal’s central striker. Mesut Ozil, too, will return to the side after missing the United game, but Wenger has a tough decision on his hand regarding the selection of the third member of the attacking trio.
The decision is to be made between selecting Danny Welbeck and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both of whom have become a vital part of the front three. Mkhitaryan’s participation was initially doubtful after he suffered a knock against United, but has duly returned to training this week.
Welbeck, in the Armenian’s absence, has shone and has improved his game a lot in recent weeks to be considered as a starter. And, after impressing in the 1-1 draw last week, it is likely that the Englishman could continue in the lineup, with Mkhitaryan being an option off the bench.
Meanwhile, Wenger iterated in his pre-match press conference the fact that the result from the first leg has made his side’s job easier in one aspect – that they know the only way they can proceed is by scoring.
“The advantage we have is the way to behave is clear: we know we need to score. We have a clear demand in our heads, we need to have a positive way. Will Atletico do the same? Will they have a more cautious approach and try to get us on the break? We have to be prepared for that as well.”