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Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 3, 2020 at 8pm UK
Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
4 - 1
Rapid Vienna

Lacazette (10'), Mari (18'), Nketiah (44'), Smith Rowe (66')
Elneny (42'), Mustafi (61')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Kitagawa (47')
Ullmann (39'), Sonnleitner (79')

How Arsenal could line up against Rapid Vienna

:Headline: How Arsenal could line up against Rapid Vienna: ID:424596: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up for their Europa League showdown with Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening.

Arsenal will endeavour to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League when they welcome Rapid Vienna to the Emirates Stadium for Thursday evening's showdown.

The Gunners have taken 12 points from a possible 12 so far and have already secured their place in the knockout stages, with Mikel Arteta's men overcoming Vienna 2-1 in Austria back in October.

However, Arsenal have not been up to scratch in the Premier League and head into this game following a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates, although the game was marred by a sickening clash of heads between David Luiz and Raul Jimenez.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Arsenal could line up for Thursday's visit of Vienna.



Out: Thomas Partey (thigh), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), David Luiz (head)
Doubtful: Calum Chambers (fitness), Pablo Mari (fitness)

> Click here for Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Arsenal's ever-growing injury list welcomed another player in David Luiz after his collision with Raul Jimenez - who has since undergone surgery on a fractured skull - but the Gunners drew plenty of criticism for allowing the bloodied Luiz to continue playing in the first place.

The Brazil international is understandably not available for this encounter, meaning that Shkodran Mustafi should come in alongside Rob Holding, with Gabriel Magalhaes granted a rest before Sunday's North London derby.

Arteta should also call upon Alex Runarsson to deputise in goal for Bernd Leno, while two expected changes at right and left-back would see Cedric Soares and Ainsley Maitland-Niles replace Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney, although Sead Kolasinac is a candidate for a start after recovering from coronavirus.

With Thomas Partey set to remain sidelined until 2021, Arteta will certainly welcome Mohamed Elneny's return to the fold after a positive COVID-19 test, and the Egyptian could line up from the first whistle on Thursday after making the bench for the visit of Wolves.

Nicolas Pepe has now served the first of a three-game suspension in the Premier League, and while the Ivory Coast international has struggled for form in the top flight, Pepe earned praise for his performance against Molde just a few days after his sending off at Elland Road.

The 25-year-old boasts three goals and two assists in this year's Europa League and is sure to start here, with Reiss Nelson - who was also lauded for his starring role in the Gunners' 3-0 victory in Norway - expected to demote fellow academy graduate Bukayo Saka to the bench.

Joe Willock was finally handed his chance in the Premier League after a string of solid performances in Europe, but the 21-year-old was one of many Arsenal players who struggled against Wolves and he may be granted a night off to recuperate here.

Dani Ceballos is capable of filling in further up the pitch, but one name that Gooners have been calling out for in recent weeks is Emile Smith Rowe, and the 20-year-old is battling for a start after coming off the bench to set up Folarin Balogun's first goal for Arsenal against Molde.

Balogun has given Arteta food for thought when it comes to attacking options, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's recent struggles in front of goal well-documented, but Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both started in Norway and the former could captain the Gunners from the off once again on Thursday.

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