Pain in the Arsenal
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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, Pablo Mari
(Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /

Defense

Here is where things really get complicated. I think the easiest name to fill in is Sead Kolasinac. He was on the bench against Newcastle, but thankfully Bukayo Saka still got the start, because he was vital—man of the match, if you ask Arsenal.

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Now that Kolasinac is healthy, it’s time to get him back in there. He can be such a vital presence and I look forward to seeing what he can do back in the mix.

On the opposite side, I would expect to see Ainsley Maitland-Niles finally get back into the team. He’s been literally gone for the past few weeks, and it’s concerning, but with no news surrounding him, it seems likely he will start here.

It’s in the center of the defense that things get even more questionable, because there really are a lot of options. Rob Holding and Pablo Mari started for the U23s earlier this week, with Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz starting against Newcastle. Sokratis, meanwhile, hasn’t had a minute in quite some time.

Sokratis looks like the shoo-in here, which means the follow-up will most likely come down to who among Mari and Holding Arteta is more fond of seeing get the start here.

Honestly, I’m leaning towards Mari. He needs his chance to prove himself to the team if we’re going to consider purchasing him in the summer. So get him out there early and often, and that starts here.

Next up, the midfield.

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