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4-2-3-1: Jenkinson to start: The Arsenal line-up Emery should pick against Sporting

By on November 7, 2018

Arsenal can secure top spot and progression to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a win against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night. This is the line-up I’d like Unai Emery to select…

Goalkeeper: Cech

Petr Cech looks like he’s been demoted to No.2 so that means he’s now our cup keeper and should start on Thursday. Bernd Leno will therefore get a rest ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Wolves.

Defence: Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Sokratis, Jenkinson

We should see plenty of changes in defence with Hector Bellerin obviously rested and I’d also like to see Sead Kolasinac given a breather as he’s only just returned from a hamstring injury and was knackered by the end of the draw with Liverpool.

Nacho Monreal is close to returning from injury but Emery has confirmed he won’t be involved against Sporting so we have a void to fill at left-back. Some are suggesting Ainsley Maitland-Niles should play but I’d prefer to see him in his favoured midfield position so I’d give Carl Jenkinson another run out as he didn’t do too badly against Blackpool.

Sokratis is back in contention after returning to full training following an ankle injury so he needs to build up his match fitness and I’d go with Shkodran Mustafi alongside him with Rob Holding given a rest.

Midfield: Guendouzi, Maitland-Niles

Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka have formed an excellent pairing in midfield so they need to be protected tomorrow. Matteo Guendouzi is available again after missing the Liverpool game through suspension so he should start while I’d like to see Maitland-Niles given a chance in midfield.

matteo guendouzi

Attack: Smith Rowe, Ramsey, Iwobi, Welbeck

Mesut Ozil will obviously be rested and I hope Emery gives Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette the night off too as we need them 100% fit for the Wolves game on Sunday.

Alex Iwobi was surprisingly left out against Liverpool so he should be fresh to return in attack tomorrow with Henrikh Mkhitaryan dropping to the bench following a solid performance last weekend.

Aaron Ramsey will be given another chance to stake his claim for a first team place but I honestly think he’ll never be a regular under Emery again as his time at the club draws to a close.

Danny Welbeck will get a game up front and he’ll be looking to impress while I hope we see Emile Smith Rowe given another chance. The teenager has done superbly in the cups so far this season so hopefully he does well again if given the chance on Thursday.

Here is the side I hope we’ll see:

football formations

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