Arsenal play host to Standard Liege on Thursday night having got their Europa League campaign underway with a 3-0 success at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Standard also join the Gunners on three points after getting the better of Vitoria de Guimaraes, leaving top spot up for grabs in Group F.

Match preview

While Unai Emery has received his fair share of criticism this season, it has gone unnoticed that Arsenal have still managed to put together a six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

That is despite Emery showing a willingness to make frequent changes to his squad at a time when several key men have been absent through injury, suggesting that optimism should be that little bit higher at the Emirates Stadium.

There will be concern over the form of club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, but several of the team's academy graduates are already showing that they deserve to be part of this setup for years to come.

With the 1-1 draw at Manchester United coming just three days before this contest, those youngsters are expected to get another opportunity to impress at the Emirates Stadium and if their showing against Frankfurt on matchday one is anything to go by, they will relish the chance to put forward their case for more game time on the domestic front.

When the group stage draw was made, Standard were quickly singled out as the minnows of the quartet, but Michel Preud'homme's team have already shown that they have the potential to go further in this competition.

While they were aided by an own goal against Vitoria, they showed their character by holding onto a lead in what was already a pivotal game in regards to their hopes of finishing in the top two.

Standard have also record six wins and a draw from their opening nine matches in Belgium's top flight, leaving them in second position in the standings behind Club Brugge.

Maintaining a place in the upper echolons on the domestic front may eventually prove to be their top priority but for now at least, they will enjoy the chance to take on Premier League opposition in England safe in the knowledge that they have already given themselves a strong foundation in this group.

Arsenal form: DDWWWD

Standard Liege form: LWWWWD

Team News

Having impressed against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup, young Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli is in line to make his first European start on Thursday night.

Emery is expected to make widespread changes, which should include starts for Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney as they continue their returns from long-term injuries.

Mesut Ozil is likely to feature further forward, as are Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson after their cameo outings against United at Old Trafford.

With Calum Chambers having picked up an injury in that game, Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding are expected to feature at the centre of the backline.

Aside from the injured Orlando Sa, Preud'homme should have a fully-fit squad for the visit to North London.

Anthony Limbombe will hope to impress having being linked with several Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Martinez; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney; Torreira, Ceballos; Nelson, Willock, Ozil; Martinelli

Standard Liege possible starting lineup: Milinkovic-Savic; Vojvoda, Vanheusden, Laifis, Gavory; Bastien, Bokadi, M'Poku; Carcela-Gonzalez, Emond, Limbombe

We say: Arsenal 3-1 Standard Liege

While Emery making changes to his side will, in theory, give Standard more chance of causing a surprise, we feel that Arsenal should still come through this fixture with minimal fuss to put themselves in control of the group.