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Arsenal Vs Eintracht Frankfurt: Predicted starting XI – Rob Holding returns?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Rob Holding looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on August 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Rob Holding looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on August 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Shkodran Mustafi
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium on July 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Back Three

The first thing I should highlight is that I predict Unai Emery will shift to a back-three-based system. There are two main reasons for this. The first is the players that Emery has available to him, the positions they are most comfortable in, and the injuries in attacking areas; the second is that Emery has been quite cautious away from home in Europe previously and I expect him to take a more conservative approach again here.

If using a back three, that obviously comprises three centre-halves. Thankfully, Arsenal have three centre-halves who are now fit but not playing at present. Shkodran Mustafi has been pushed way down the pecking order but should still see some game time in lesser matches like these, while Calum Chambers will also start after being dropped for David Luiz.

Then comes the return of Rob Holding to round out the back three. Holding has missed ten months after an ACL tear but was declared fit earlier this week. While he will not be match-fit, playing in games like this is essential as he looks to complete his rehabilitation. It will be wonderful to see him back on the football field.