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Attendance: 17,822
Vitoria de Guimaraes
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 6, 2019 at 3.50pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

1-1

Duarte (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mustafi (81')

Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Wednesday's Europa League fixture between Vitoria de Guimaraes and Arsenal.

Arsenal make the trip to Portugal to face Vitoria de Guimaraes knowing that three points will realistically be enough to secure their place in the Europa League knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Vitoria sit bottom of Group F having failed to earn a single point from their opening three fixtures.


Match preview

Arsenal manager Unai Emery on October 24, 2019© Reuters

While an eight-game unbeaten streak gave reason for Unai Emery to be optimistic about the development of his side, the subsequent five-match period has suggested that their earlier spell had simply papered over the cracks.

Courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Vitoria at the end of last month, Arsenal are perfectly placed to progress into the last 32 of this competition, but letting slip leads in each of their last three domestic games has put Emery under severe pressure at the Emirates Stadium.

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers has left Arsenal six points adrift of the top four, leading to reports that Emery may soon be removed from his position in the dugout.

Another victory over Vitoria on Wednesday afternoon will not do anything to improve Emery's stock at the North London outfit, but defeat would result in more question marks over whether the Spaniard will remain in charge in the long term.

In sharp contrast, Vitoria's domestic form has been much better than their outings in Europe, with Ivo Vieira's team currently placed in fifth position in Portugal's top flight.

However, while there would have been frustration having only earned a 1-1 draw at Moreirense at the weekend, Vitoria will be in a positive frame of mind heading into the reverse encounter with the English giants.

That will be partly due to twice leading at the Emirates Stadium before falling victim to two free kicks from substitute Nicolas Pepe in the closing stages.

A win would have arguably represented the most famous result in their history, although there will be no-one associated with Os Conquistadores who will not feel that they can cause a big upset in front of their own supporters this week.

Vitoria de Guimaraes form: LDLLWD

Arsenal form: WLWDDD


Team News

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka reacts after being substituted on October 27, 2019© Reuters

Having missed the last two matches due to the fallout from his angry outburst towards supporters against Crystal Palace, Granit Xhaka could be handed a recall for this contest.

Emery will almost certainly make sweeping changes to his team, with Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli all in line to feature in the first XI.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles could get the nod over Bukayo Saka, while Hector Bellerin will hope to impress ahead of potentially playing in the Premier League on Saturday.

Marcus Edwards will hope to be given another start for Vitoria, with the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster having scored at the Emirates Stadium.

However, former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Leo Bonatini will likely begin the game on the substitutes' bench.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup: Douglas; Rochinha, Tapsoda, Henrique, Hanin; Evangelista, Agu, Teixeira; Edwards, Duarte, Pereira

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Martinez; Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Willock; Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Martinelli


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We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-3 Arsenal

While Emery will make alterations for this contest, we feel that Arsenal should still come through with minimal fuss. Vitoria showed their quality in the reverse fixture, which should result in the visitors possessing no complacency ahead of this game.



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Arsenal manager Unai Emery on October 24, 2019
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