Pain in the Arsenal
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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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WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal is faced by Craig Dawson of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal is faced by Craig Dawson of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Front Three

Alexandre Lacazette’s injury really does throw a spanner in the works. While he most probably would not have started on Thursday, his month-long absence means that should Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang get injured, Arsenal would have no fit senior centre-forward in the squad. And yet, unless if you trust Tyreece John-Jules to lead the line, Aubameyang must start against Frankfurt.

I also expect to see Reiss Nelson feature off the left flank. Very much like Joe Willock, Nelson is in the process of earning a starting role for himself in the Premier League side. In limited minutes thus far, he has illustrated his unquestioned ability but also looked a little short of being ready for a regular starting role. A good Europa League could be ideal, then.

On the right side, expect to see Nicolas Pepe here. Eventually, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe could well be eased into these positions, but at present, I am not sure how much Emery trusts the former, while the latter is likely only fit enough to make the substitutes bench.

Next. Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned. dark

Pepe could be rested for this match, as could Aubameyang, but I do feel Emery will want to get off to a winning start in the group, and he played a fairly strong team in these matches last season as well. It remains to be seen how Emery balances rest and results, but I think we can all agree, the quicker the Europa League is over and done with, the better.