Arsenal travel to Girona in the final League Stage match of the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners have all but made it into the round of 16 and can secure their passage with a draw in what will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Girona
How Arsenal Have Lined-up Recently
Keeping a clean sheet with some impressive saves last time out, David Raya marshalled a more familiar-looking back four. William Saliba returned from injury to play alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back, supported by Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly as the full-backs.
Another injured player returned to the starting XI against Wolves in the form of Ethan Nwaneri. He played in a midfield three with Thomas Partey and Declan Rice.
The combination of Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard has been a favourite of Arteta’s since Bukayo Saka’s injury. The trio all started against Wolves, with Arteta recently praising Martinelli and Trossard in particular. The pair have been directly involved in four of Arsenal’s eight goals in the past four games.
Arteta said: “They are in a good place confidence-wise, physically and they are contributing to the attacking phase in a really good way, so it’s good.”
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Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
Despite going down to 10 men at the end of the first half, Arsenal dug deep, kept their head and snatched three important Premier League points at the Molineux.
Arteta was running out of superlatives for his team’s efforts, praising their ‘courage’, ‘spirit’, ‘intelligence’ and their ability to handle their emotions and get the win.
In their last ten matches in all competitions, Arsenal have six wins, two draws and two cup defeats.
The Gunners have been pretty prolific in Europe, scoring 14 goals across their seven matches, conceding only two themselves. Their improved defensive record in the Premier League and Champions League this season is a testament to Arsenal’s more pragmatic playing style this season, focussing on defensive stability and controlling matches, rather than free-flowing expansive football.
Arsenal Injuries and Absentees to Consider
Martin Odegaard could be back in contention after missing the Wolves match through illness; the Norweigan midfielder was spotted in training prior to flying out to Girona.
Mikel Merino also took part in the training session and could also make a return after he picked up a knock.
Arteta commented on Merino’s injuries this season: “He’s been quite unfortunate, to be honest, but Mikel’s character is unbelievable. He’s so determined and now he has some rhythm, some momentum and has had some very good moments in the last few weeks with us. Unfortunately he had a little niggle but it was nothing serious, but we play every two and a half days so you miss two matches. He’s fit again and available and it’s great to have him in the team.”
While Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card ban would have only applied to domestic fixtures, Arsenal won the appeal to overturn the decision. This gives Arteta a few more choices when it comes to rotating the squad tonight and in upcoming fixtures.
A number of stars remain sidelined including Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arteta has vowed to play a ‘very strong’ team against Girona, so do not expect too much rotation even despite Arsenal’s near-touching distance to the round of 16.
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Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Girona
GK: David Raya
DEF: Jurrien Timber
DEF: William Saliba
DEF: Gabriel Magalhaes
DEF: Riccardo Calafiori
MID: Jorginho
MID: Declan Rice
MID: Thomas Partey
FW: Gabriel Martinelli
FW: Kai Havertz
FW: Leandro Trossard
