MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 10:40:38| >> :60:644:644:

How Arsenal could line up against Villarreal

How Arsenal could line up against Villarreal
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Arsenal could line up for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Villarreal on Thursday.

Arsenal are unlikely to welcome Kieran Tierney or Alexandre Lacazette back in time for their Europa League semi-final second leg with Villarreal on Thursday.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Mikel Arteta was pessimistic over the duo's fitness after they missed out against Newcastle United - despite their returns to training - while David Luiz succumbed to a hamstring injury at St James' Park.

However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to the first XI with a goal at the weekend and will lead the line with confidence, while Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding should deputise for the injured Tierney and Luiz, although they have not been ruled out just yet.

Dani Ceballos will serve a suspension for two bookable offences in the first leg, so Thomas Partey will likely be partnered by Mohamed Elneny, who struck his first Premier League goal against Newcastle on Sunday.

Gabriel Martinelli impressed on the left-hand side at St James' Park but should drop out for Nicolas Pepe, whose second-half penalty in the first leg kept the Gunners' dreams of European silverware alive.

Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were also benched at the weekend but could displace Willian and Martin Odegaard in the first XI here, while Calum Chambers could replace wantaway right-back Hector Bellerin once more.

Mathew Ryan put in a confident display in between the sticks against Newcastle, but Bernd Leno will come back in for the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee this week.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Xhaka; Partey, Elneny; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Aubameyang

> Click here to see how Villarreal could line up for this clash

ID:445970:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4459:
Written by
Ben Knapton
No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Arsenal vs Villarreal

Arsenal
63.3%
Draw
15.5%
Villarreal
21.2%
633
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick on February 14, 2021
Read Next:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hails "incredible" work of medics after malaria
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio541013
2Frankfurt541013
3Anderlecht532011
4Galatasaray532011
5Lyon531110
6Rangers531110
7Ajax531110
8Spurs531110
9FCSB531110
10Ferencvaros53029
11Man Utd52309
12Plzen52309
13Olympiacos52218
14Fenerbahce62228
15Bodo/Glimt52127
16Real Sociedad52127
17AZ52127
18Midtjylland52127
19Braga52127
20Roma51316
21Besiktas52036
22Porto51225
23Union SG51225
24Hoffenheim51225
25Slavia Prague51134
26PAOK51134
27Elfsborg51134
28Malmo51043
29FC Twente50323
30M. Tel Aviv51043
31Qarabag51043
32Ludogorets50232
33RFS50232
34Nice50232
35Athletic Club00000
36Dynamo Kiev50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!