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Arsenal vs Olympiakos predicted XI: Let’s make this look easy

By Josh Sippie

Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 16, 2020. - Arsenal won the game 4-0. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 16, 2020. - Arsenal won the game 4-0. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s hopes for Champions League qualification comes down to this. Here’s their predicted XI for the first knockout rounds of the Europa League.

Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

Alrighty then, here we are. With Arsenal buried in the middle of the Premier League table, what hopes we have of a Champions League qualification are mostly invested in the Europa League, and being able to continue the progression of the last three years.

Two years ago, we got bounced in the semi-finals. Last year we lost in the final. This year, it only makes sense that we win it all, right?

That all starts against Olympiakos. After crawling across the finish line after a rousing beginning to the group stages, the Gunners will hope to rebound with some conclusive performances across two legs against the Greek side.

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For Mikel Arteta, this comes down to smart rotation. Not just rotation. We need rest, but we also need reliability. So let’s talk about how to line line these guys up.

Of course, there are injuries to get out of the way first. Reiss Nelson will not be available in a match that would almost certainly feature him. Elsewhere, Kieran Tierney and Calum Chambers remain out, as well as new signing Cedric Soares. Pablo Mari is a question mark, but I have a bit more optimism than that.

Which still leaves Mikel Arteta with plenty of options to secure a comfortable victory, rotation and all. As for the formation, I see this taking the usual 4-2-3-1 configuration, as that’s the firmest foundation to build a team off with the resources that we have.

And so, without further ado, let’s get into the probable starting XI, starting with the first question—who starts in goal.

Keeper

This is a tough one. On the one hand, Bernd Leno is tremendous. Literally incredible. And it’s not like you need to rest your keeper. On the other hand, Emiliano Martinez has been our midweek guy, and this is a midweek fixture. He’s not as good as Leno, but this is his chance to prove otherwise.

I’m giving the nod, only somewhat hesitantly, to Emi Martinez.

Moving on to the defense.

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