Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Blackpool: Predicted starting XI – Here comes the youth

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal is challenged by Jurgen Locadia of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Community Stadium on December 26, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal is challenged by Jurgen Locadia of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Community Stadium on December 26, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Full-Backs

Another position that has been severely depleted by injuries in recent months, Unai Emery will be happy that he just has two options to turn to so that he can rest his starters. Sead Kolasinac has played all but 10 minutes of the festive period and needs a rest, Hector Bellerin is still on the sidelines, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been filling it at right-back.

Thankfully, however, both Carl Jenkinson and Stephan Lichtsteiner will be available to play on Saturday. Both are natural right-backs, but Emery has shown that he is comfortable using either on the opposite flank when options are limited.

I expect to both to start on Saturday, with Lichtsteiner the more likely to play on the left side. It would be surprising if Emery has any interest in playing Bellerin or Kolasinac. As such, Jenkinson and Lichtsteiner are the next guys up.