Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal vs Valencia predicted XI: Someone, anyone, make this work

By Josh Sippie

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Granit Xhaka
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Midfield

Before the debilitating loss to Leicester City, I might have changed things here a bit, to stay fresh for Brighton, but as I think the Premier League has now fallen to second on the priority list, with the Europa League taking top spot by default, there shouldn’t be any tampering with the best possible team choices here.

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I want Aaron Ramsey back more than anything, which is just a harbinger of things to come, but unfortunately, he looks unlikely to return, perhaps for the rest of the season.

With him out, the options limit themselves. Granit Xhaka has to play, because he’s our best chance at establishing order. He’s had a rough go lately as well, but with him, it’s always just a matter of time before he sorts himself out, and this match, against a Spanish side, is an excellent opportunity to accomplish that.

Next to him will be Lucas Torreira. I had considered Matteo Guendouzi, but again, with the Europa League now the highest priority, I imagine Guendouzi will start to see time in the Prem rather than the Europa.

Next up, the front three.