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3 players expected to start in upcoming Europa League games

By Krish Ajmani

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Arsenal players pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Europa League group A match between Arsenal FC and FC Zurich at Emirates Stadium on November 03, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Arsenal players pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Europa League group A match between Arsenal FC and FC Zurich at Emirates Stadium on November 03, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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2. Fabio Vieira

Fabio Viera should replace Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal XI. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Fabio Viera should replace Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal XI. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth saw Fabio Vieira start at the Emirates. He had a mixed performance. The midfielder did little of note in both positive and negative ways. He was faced with a compact deep block and while he allowed Arsenal to sustain pressure and probe around the box, fans did not see his effective final ball or shooting ability.

With every league game rife with implications for Arsenal’s final league position, players cannot be rotated as freely as might be needed. Vieira is an exciting talent but coming off the bench at the end of games will not help him build up form. The Europa League, however, should provide ample opportunity for minutes.

The Portuguese star should start against Sporting and will face a different test to Bournemouth. Given the format of the European competition, Sporting will attack to a greater extent, leaving space between the lines for Vieira to get onto the ball and make things happen. Hopefully, he can take advantage of an extra game a week to get into top form at a crucial time in the season.

Continued on the next slide…

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