Arsenal are very familiar with injury problems. However, somewhat unusually, they are now nearly at a full squad compliment. Both Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are near to full returns for the club and are fit to play in the Europa League on Thursday.
Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney to Face Liege
Team News
Unai Emery held his usual press conference ahead of the match and fielded a question about the Scottish fullback. He told the media, “Tierney still needs time and confidence, training and playing. Thursday is a good opportunity again, because he is ready to play”
His Spanish counterpart is nearly in the same boat, “Hector Bellerin is the same, but with a small difference. Because he was injured for more time and after a long time, nine months, I think he needed to first play 15 minutes with us last week, perfect, the first minutes. But if he is feeling well, then normally, he is going to play.”
So, barring any setback in training, fans will get to see both Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney.
The only players who will be fully unavailable are Alexandre Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe. The striker is still recovering from an ankle injury and the midfielder continues his recovery from a head injury against Nottingham Forest.
The Opposition
Standard Liege will also have most of their squad available for selection, with only Orlando Sa out injured. The Belgian side have enjoyed a rosy start to the season. Their six wins and one draw has left them in second place in the top flight behind only Club Brugge.
They also showed against Vitoria Guimaraes that they are not the minnows they appear. While Liege did benefit from an own goal, they held on to the lead and kept a clean sheet to secure three points.
They are opposition that Arsenal should respect, even if they are favourites.
Prediction
The Gunners already faced their toughest test of the Europa League group stage in the away win against Eintracht Frankfurt. They also benefit from the availability of Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney.
So, it should come as no surprise to see Arsenal being predicted to take all three points.
Predicted score: Arsenal 3 Standard Liege 1
Main Photo
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