How Arsenal could line up against Vorskla Poltava

Arsenal's journey in the 2018-19 Europa League will start on Thursday night, with the Gunners welcoming Ukrainian outfit Vorskla Poltava to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the competition last season before losing to Atletico Madrid, and are the overwhelming favourites to beat a team that finished third in the Ukrainian Premier League last season.

The Gunners lost at home to Ostersunds in the Europa League last term but did win four of their seven fixtures at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are also unbeaten against Ukrainian opposition in front of their own supporters, winning four of five such matches in the Champions League.

Unai Emery's side made a shaky start to the 2018-19 campaign - losing their first two Premier League matches - but have since beaten West Ham United, Cardiff City and Newcastle United to rise up the table.

Arsenal should have no problems making their way through a section which also includes Sporting Lisbon and Qarabag as they look to advance deep into the Europa League once again.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the hosts could line up on Thursday night.

Out: Laurent Koscielny (Achilles), Carl Jenkinson (ankle), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (shin), Sead Kolasinac (knee) Doubtful: Aaron Ramsey (fitness), Alex Iwobi (illness)

Arsenal are still without the services of Laurent Koscielny, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac, while Alex Iwobi could again miss out for the Gunners through illness.

There could be a spot between the sticks for summer arrival Bernd Leno, who has had to be patient this season. Meanwhile, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Lucas Torreira and Mohamed Elneny should also come into the XI.

There is no question that Emery will want to triumph in a competition that he knows well, but the Spaniard will take the chance to hand a number of squad players some valuable minutes.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are both expected to keep their spots in the team, however, as they continue to build their partnership in the final third of the field.

Danny Welbeck has only played 31 minutes of Premier League football this season, but the 27-year-old impressed in the Europa League last season, and should be handed a position in the XI.

> Click here to see how Vorskla could line up for this fixture