Arsenal vs Dundalk Predicted Lineup: A Totally Different Side

Arsenal, Reiss Nelson (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal, Reiss Nelson (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Midfielders

Arsenal, Emile Smith Rowe
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Joe Willock (CM) – Got a few late minutes at Rapid Vienna but he’ll be itching to start on Thursday. Willock had some impressive outings in our group stage matches in last season’s competition, and Arteta will be wanting more of the same here. Make a statement on Thursday, Joe.

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – Got into a position to set up the winner in Austria which is the kind of area where we’ve been bereft of bodies of late – that ball for Bellerin was wonderfully weighted and picked out. Another one of those from the dependable Elneny would do just nicely.

Emile Smith Rowe (CM) Do I believe Smith Rowe will start? Not really, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility. Working in tandem with Ainsley Maitland-Niles (spoiler) down whichever flank they play on will allow for movements infield where he can float in between the lines and operate as something *checks notes* called an attacking midfielder. Yeah, never heard of it either. Hoping we see a decent outing from Smith Rowe on Thursday.

In possession the formation could move to a 4-2-3-1 and rid Smith Rowe of any great level of defensive duty. Stick him in the middle, and keep him there.