Arsenal predicted lineup vs Slavia Prague: All or nothing

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at the Emirates was about as emotionally destroying as a 6-0 loss. Although come to think, if we had lost 6-0, it wouldn’t have been deserved, which a draw frankly was not. Slavia Prague weren’t particularly good, and we missed loads of open chances—Saka, Laca, and Auba all missed sitters. Genuinely just an infuriating outing for Arsenal.

One aspect of last Thursday’s game that was heavily critiqued by football twitter was Arteta’s gameplan.

The starting lineup was relatively standard, although the inclusion of Willian is always a mystery, but his tactical profile certainly raised some eyebrows, especially with the aforementioned Brazilian and Emile Smith Rowe treading on each other’s toes constantly throughout their time together on the pitch.

Expect a more attacking setup, similar to the one deployed against Sheffield United, with a tactical premium centered on creating chances in the 18-yard box, especially in the smaller Sinobo Stadium ground that Slavia Prague call home.

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Arsenal predicted lineup vs Slavia Prague: All or nothing in Europa League quarter-final second leg

As usual, we’ll prioritize the use of the wide spaces, and the No. 10 position will be key to our build-up, but the biggest addition to Arsenal’s tactical profile will be the ability to provide a finishing touch to the multitude of chances we’re sure to create.

Most of all, Arsenal need to win this match, plain and simple, and need to score at least one goal in the process. Scoring two would be extremely beneficial, and Slavia will have to avoid that happening without disgraced centre-back Ondrej Kudela who has been banned for ten matches for racist behaviour directed at Glen Kamara.

The 4-2-3-1, Arteta’s preferred shape at present, will obviously be the centerpiece of our tactical setup, although with Kieran Tierney absent, likely for the rest of the season, it will be interesting to see who falls into that left-back role while in possession. Furthermore, Arteta has favored a midfielder in the left half-space – Willian against Slavia a week ago Thursday, and Dani Ceballos at the weekend – and it will be interesting to see if that trend abounds.

Finally, team news is always shifting at Arsenal, especially with the rash of injuries that has been rearing its ugly head of late. Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have been listed as fit to start, while Martin Ødegaard will be racing the clock for fitness as he’s missed the last few fixtures with an ankle niggle. It’s a similar scenario with Aubameyang, who had the flu, and hasn’t trained since last Friday. David Luiz and Tierney are confirmed not to start due to long-term injury.

On to my predicted XI that Arteta will select.

Goalkeeper and Defenders

GK – Bernd Leno

The German is a guaranteed starter, without a doubt. As much as I would love to see Maty Ryan get the nod, it’s a must-win match, and Arteta is likely to trust the German, and the German alone.

RB – Hector Bellerin

Having been rested against Sheffield United, he’s likely to fill in the right side of the backline against Slavia. He’s also a useful player to have on the pitch if Arteta wants to mold his formation to a back three, as he played that role convincingly during Project Restart, and usually looks to bomb forward when given the option. He’ll do well in the smaller confines of Sinobo Stadium, where his habit of tucking inside is less likely to expose Arsenal’s right flank.

CB – Rob Holding

Considering his run in the side recently, and David Luiz’s continued absence, the Englishman will start for the fourth match on the trot. He’s been imperious at the back, especially in the last two fixtures, and morphed into prime Maldini (he’s better than Cannavaro, you know) last time out against Slavia. His line-breaking passes were a sight to behold.

CB – Gabriel Magalhaes

I would love to see Pablo Mari start, given he’s more reliable alongside Holding, but Arteta trusts Gabriel in the big games, and so the Brazilian will start. His body positioning and strength, as always, will prove key in this tie, and his greater pace will help to maintain a solid backbone if Arteta chooses to move to a back three, where he was imperious to start the season.

LB – Cedric Soares

When the lineups dropped against the Blades, everyone predicted Saka would be starting at left-back, given the omission of the Portuguese. However, it was a combination of Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka that played that role, as Saka slotted into the No. 10 role further up the pitch. Cedric is likely to return, and deputize at a more traditional full-back role, as Slavia won’t be as much of an attacking pushover as Sheffield United.