Arsenal vs FC Vorskla: 5 players to watch for in Europa League opener

4. Rob Holding/Konstantinos Mavropanos

While the starting XI is no guarantee for the Gunners, it stands to reason that we are likely to see Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos paired up in the center of the defense. Seeing as how these are the only other centerbacks on the club, given the loan of Calum Chambers, there is nowhere else to turn.

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That said, even if only one goes, the same is going to remain true – we need to see, of these two young men, which (if not both) is ready to potentially challenge for Premier League minutes. As it stands, the Gunners have no other options outside of their starting duo of Mustafi and Sokratis and that, in turn, is a weakness.

This will be the first time that we’ll be seeing either one of the two young defenders and they will be keenly aware of the opportunity they have to fire themselves into the conversation. With how much Unai Emery is changing things, and how much he has showed a willingness to change, not to mention how much he is favoring young guys like Guendouzi, it stands to reason that either Holding or Mavropanos could be in line for much more exposure in the near future if they can impress in these side competitions.

Next up, No. 3.