Arsenal vs Standard Liege: Predicted XI in Europa League week 2

Centerbacks

I would squeal with joy if David Luiz and Sokratis were starting today. Not because I’d be excited to see them, but because it would probably mean that Unai Emery has done the switcheroo and is going to change up his Premier League defense.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

But that isn’t going to happen. Since Rob Holding is still being nursed back to health and didn’t feature (frustratingly) against Manchester United, despite being tremendous against Forest, you can expect to see him here, holding down the back line.

Next to him, the forgotten man, Shkodran Mustafi, who has quietly done his part in both of his appearances and, if things don’t shape up in the Premier League, may start causing a bit of upheaval himself. Anything is better than Luiz and Sokratis, right?

With this centerback pairing, I would expect to see another clean sheet. The only way that doesn’t happen is if Mustafi has himself a mental implosion, or there’s a set-piece disaster, or something along those lines, but the table is set and I’d wager these guys can deliver.

Next up, fullbacks.