Arsenal vs BATE Borisov predicted starting XI: Denis Suarez, right?

Back Three

I would love to see Unai Emery spotting Laurent Koscielny a break, but given the nature of the match, wanting to put up as big of a lead as possible, I don’t think that the break will come now, but more likely next week, assuming this match goes according to plan.

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As such, I would expect Shkodran Mustafi to start as the right-sided centerback, Laurent Koscielny in the middle and, let’s get a little crazy here, Konstantinos Mavropanos on the left side rather than Nacho Monreal because, honestly, isn’t it time to get the young man some time? If he can’t handle BATE Borisov, even in Belarus, then what’s the big deal?

It’s a defense that should be able to do the job. Actually, it’s the defense of this club, mostly Koscielny, who have been inspiring a ton of confidence around the results lately. Even against Manchester City, it was the attack that let us down, not the defense. And I think Chelsea verified that with their bruising defeat.

The back three is always a risk, because it robs you of a potential chance creator or goal scorer further up in the formation, but here, with the back three working the best of all formations lately, it’s time to stick with it.

Moving on to the wingbacks.