Arsenal’s weekend journey to Mansfield Town proved to be a little bit scarier than the bulk projected, however the Gunners nonetheless labored their approach into the FA Cup quarterfinal draw and can face Southampton with one other Wembley time out at stake.
All goes relatively swimmingly on the home entrance, and Mikel Arteta will now flip his consideration again to the continental scene, as Arsenal’s Champions League marketing campaign resumes on Wednesday night time.
They’ve actually been blessed by the draw-makers on all fronts this time period, as Bayer Leverkusen symbolize relatively tame spherical of 16 opposition for the so-far-perfect Gunners. They’re touring to the BayArena for the primary leg, hoping to safe a end result that can allay fears of a possible upset in north London subsequent week.
Ødegaard Ruled Out Until April
Martin Ødegaard has endured one other irritating season on the damage entrance, and Arsenal’s captain is at the moment battling a knee difficulty.
He’s been out and in of the matchday squad over the previous month in consequence, and whereas Norway supervisor Ståle Solbakken has stated Ødegaard’s current problem isn’t serious, he received’t be again in motion till after the worldwide break.
Arsenal can be with out Mikel Merino after he underwent foot surgical procedure in the beginning of the yr, whereas Ben White stays a doubt. Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori picked up knocks on the weekend, however the severity of their accidents was performed down by Arteta. Still, their “niggles” could be troublesome sufficient to maintain them out of the primary leg.
On a extra constructive be aware, there’s hope that William Saliba, who’s missed the earlier two video games with an ankle damage, shall be prepared to fit again into Arsenal’s protection on Wednesday.
- Key absentees, doubts: Mikel Merino, Martin Ødegaard, Ben White, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Riccardo Calafiori.
- Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1)
GK: David Raya—No participant recorded extra minutes within the league part than Raya, with Arsenal conceding half of their objectives within the competitors to date when Kepa Arrizabalaga was stationed between the posts towards Kairat Almaty.
RB: Jurriën Timber—After enduring a short dip, Timber has rediscovered his best possible kind in latest outings and needs to be recent for the primary leg, provided that he solely appeared off the bench on Saturday.
CB: William Saliba—Arteta has been fairly coy over Saliba’s ankle damage, however he assured supporters that it’s not the identical ankle that bothered him in the beginning of the season. His newest setback doesn’t appear severe, and he might again within the workforce after two video games out.
CB: Gabriel—The Brazilian defender didn’t journey to Mansfield on the weekend, however he’ll actually be on the aircraft to Germany.
LB: Piero Hincapié—Hincapié has been a vital determine in Arsenal’s protection this calendar yr, and Calafiori’s latest damage has decreased the competitors for minutes within the short-term.
CM: Martín Zubimendi—The metronomic midfielder lastly earned some respite on the weekend, with Arteta set to rely upon Zubimendi relentlessly throughout the latter levels of this competitors.
CM: Declan Rice—Rice had his toes up at dwelling whereas a much-changed Arsenal team struggled at Mansfield, with Arteta properly resting the English midfielder forward of the resumption of their Champions League marketing campaign. Leverkusen has a pair of cultured ball gamers in the midst of the park, so Rice shall be examined.
RW: Bukayo Saka—He’s the person Arsenal will flip to as this competitors progresses into its nitty gritty stage. Saka hasn’t lit up the Champions League but this season, however he has a superb observe file on European nights.
AM: Eberechi Eze—Eze was the match-winner on Saturday, and he’s progressively beginning to look extra comfy inside Arteta’s framework. His run within the workforce will proceed in Ødegaard’s absence.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli—The Brazilian winger leads Arsenal’s squad with seven Champions League purpose contributions this time period. With Trossard an damage doubt, Martinelli seems like a shoo-in, and Leverkusen will give up house for him to run into.
ST: Viktor Gyökeres—After beginning 5 of the Gunners’ eight league part outings, Gyökeres is about to pip Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to the beginning position on Wednesday night time. He’s struck 4 instances on this competitors so far.
