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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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Joe Willock of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Meadow Park on September 21, 2018 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Joe Willock of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Meadow Park on September 21, 2018 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images) /

Central Midfield

This is where the options become a little more plentiful. That is not to say that Arsenal are drowning in midfield and attacking players. But they are not quite as cash-strapped as they are in defensive positions. Unai Emery has some options available to him.

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I would be surprised to see the likes of Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, Alex Iwobi or Mesut Ozil start, though they could likely take a place on the bench in case the match goes south, and would expect to see Emery shift to a younger line-up.

Mohamed Elneny will almost certainly play, seeing as he has not featured much this season and the likes of Torreira and Xhaka have looked leggy recently. Alongside Elneny, I expect to see Joe Willock, another young staple of the Europa League and domestic cup team, and Matteo Guendouzi, the youngest and most junior midfielder of what would be considered the Premier League squad.

Resting Xhaka and Torreira is critical with plenty of games still to come, as is offering starting chances to Willock and Elneny. Rotation is key in these games and Emery will likely embrace this.