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

By Josh Sippie | Sep 18, 2018

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal gestures as Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal prepares to take a throw during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

2. Stephan Lichtsteiner

I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to see a 34-year-old reserve fullback play. No, scratch that, I know I’ve never been more excited.

Stephan Lichtsteiner has only played about an hour in the Premier League, and in that hour he became one of my favorite players at the club, and I am quite sure I’m not alone in this, because he embodies everything fans have wanted out of these players. He has grit, determination and, dare I even say anger?

Meanwhile, the man that is blocking his path, Hector Bellerin, has not been very good, and that’s mainly because he has been next to terrible defensively.

Lichtsteiner has come out and stated how he is in direct competition with Bellerin to win the starting role and I would never bet against Lichtsteiner in like… anything. If he sets his mind to something, chances are he is either going to accomplish it, or get a red card and miss his chance to accomplish it.

That said, this match-up will be his first big time opportunity to show just how much he wants to start in the Premier League and something tells me that it’s a lot.

And finally, the main man at No. 1.

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