Gabriel Martinelli and Joe Willock are set to start with Granit Xhaka in contention to feature when Arsenal face Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
Unai Emery is set to rotate his squad when Arsenal play hosts to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Emirates on Thursday. A win for Arsenal will secure a spot in the knockout stages for the Gunners while Frankfurt will look to spoil the party. Emery has some injury concerns and with few players still recovering from their injuries, the Spaniard is set to field a very young squad.
Emiliano Matinez is expected to replace Bernd Leno, with Emery rotating his squad and keeping the German custodian ready for Premier League action this weekend. With Hector Bellerin nursing a hamstring complaint, Calum Chambers will take his place as a conventional right-back.
The summer signing from Celtic, Kieran Tierney is set to continue on the left side of the Arsenal defence as Sead Kolasinac still remains a doubt after the injury he sustained while featuring for Bosnia & Herzegovina during the international break.
Shkodran Mustafi ought to start alongside Greek youngster Konstantinos Mavropanos, who may start ahead of Rob Holding, seeing as the Englishman is doubtful for the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Emery may opt for a double pivot of Lucas Torreira and Joe Willock, allowing Matteo Guendouzi to take some much-needed rest. While there is hardly any signs of Granit Xhaka after his fallout with the Arsenal supporters. Emery’s comments in his pre-match press conference can give a glimmer of hope to the Swiss midfielder.
“He’s in the group and he has the possibility to play. I hope every supporter supports him. Xhaka’s comeback is going to be important for us.”
Xhaka, though, could miss out once again, with Torreira and Willock partnering in the midfield double pivot. Dani Ceballos remains unavailable and therefore, Emile Smith Rowe should start in an attacking midfield role, with Reiss Nelson finally getting a place in the starting lineup.
Gabriel Martinelli, who has impressed in his early days as an Arsenal player, will lead the line against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette coming on from the bench later in the second half, if needed.
The 18-year-old Brazilian has been a revelation for the Gunners in cup competitions till now, scoring 7 goals (3 in Europa League, 4 in the Carabao Cup) and has shown maturity in his play in the final third. Martinelli will look to increase his tally against Frankfurt, with Emery likely to trust the youngster up front.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Martinez; Chambers, Mustafi, Mavropanos, Tierney; Torreira, Willock; Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Nelson; Martinelli
