Early predicted Arsenal lineup to face Villarreal in Europa League semi finals

The UEFA Europa League will take place this week and Arsenal will travel to Spain for their first leg game against Villarreal and Mikel Arteta will want to go back home with an advantage gained in Thursday’s game. The clubs are yet to release their latest news but we can however predict early on what lineup Mikel Arteta will use.

EARLY PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP TO FACE VILLARREAL

TEXT FORM: Leno, Xhaka, Gabriel, Holding, Chambers, Ceballos, Partey, Pepe, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli

FORMATION: 4-2-3-1

GOALKEEPING:

Bernd Leno made a huge error in the game against Everton and Mikel Arteta wouldn’t risk such an important game with his back up goalkeeper and so since the German international is the first choice, then he will start.

DEFENCE:

Villarreal does have some physical players up front and so Arteta could definitely start Gabriel over Mari since he is good at dealing with that. Chambers and Xhaka have been okay in the fullback positions in the last few weeks and so Arteta is likely to keep it that way.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD:

Thomas Partey will be paired with Dani Ceballos in central midfield since Granit Xhaka has dropped from this role to cover at left back since Kieran Tierney is injured. This could an opportunity for Ceballos and Partey to show that their pairing could work.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD:

Martin Odegaard could come in for Emile Smith Rowe since he has got more experience about Spanish clubs and so he will begin in the central attacking midfield position while Saka and Pepe start on the flanks.

STRIKING:

Both Aubameyang and Lacazette will likely not be in the squad and so this could be a chance for Gabriel Martinelli to shine.