The Europa League has provided Arsenal with a welcome escape from the Premier League so far this season, so tonight’s game against Rapid Vienna is a good chance for Mikel Arteta to get his team back on track.
They’ve produced some bad performances and some even worse results in recent weeks so the pressure is starting to build, so you could understand if Arteta decided to play some of his big players in the hope that it might give them a confidence boost.
The actual line up features plenty of changes from Sunday and it’s not a major surprise, but some of these players have to believe they can force their way into the Premier League side if they play well tonight:
? Tonight’s lineup is in!
?? Alex Runarsson in goal
?? Pablo Mari starts at the back!
??????? Eddie Nketiah leads the line#?? #UEL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 3, 2020
David Luiz is listed with a head injury which has to raise even more questions about the decision to let him play on against Wolves, while Pablo Mari has a chance to show what he could bring to the team.
Nicolas Pepe can continue his search for redemption after the red card incident against Wolves, while it could also be a chance for Lacazette to get a much needed goal or two.
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Arsenal do have a six point lead with only two games left so they’re pretty much through to the next round, so it looks like the fans were hoping to see some of the younger players get a chance:
ESR and Balogun deserve to start
— Henry ™ (@AfcHenryx) December 3, 2020
Azeez Balogun and ESR ?
— RT (@rxckyt) December 3, 2020
You can’t even give Balogun a chance in a meaningless Europa League game and you want him to sign da ting??
— The Arsenal (@ayears3nal) December 3, 2020
Give Balogun at least 25mins please.??
— MN (@_mainanjoki) December 3, 2020
It doesn’t make sense to continue playing useless lacazete and nketiah instead of goal machine balogun then cry lack of goals afterwards! Arteta must go!!
— Andy (@tinomutah) December 3, 2020
WHAT DOES BALOGUN NEED TO DO TO GET A START???? https://t.co/DrtrJZdraV
— ?? (@ANDINO_ALB) December 3, 2020
Tierney to come on for 15 minutes for no reason. Unbelievable how Balogun hasn’t started. Nketiah has had way too many chances https://t.co/DmwULRcfZ3
— B. (@potent_prophett) December 3, 2020