After last week’s (not very much of a) surprise result, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the BATE Borisovians, this week we have a chance to put things right at home.
It looks like Aaron Ramsey is back in full training, and there’s even been some positive(ish) comments from the Manager regarding Mesut Ozil, so there’s a chance we could win this game with all guns blazing after some turbulent times during recent weeks at Arsenal. Fans will be looking at Arsenal as a banker for their accumulator tips and to qualify for the next round with nothing less than a convincing win.
Alexandre Lacazette managed to get himself suspended for the game with a red card last week in Belarus so the Frenchman will be missing. Long-term absentees Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck are all recovering after surgery and will remain out so it’s going to be a challenge for Emery to find the right combination to get the win that will keep us in the competition.
Have we unearthed another gem?
Denis Suarez could start to show the Manager and fans just what he can do after a slow start to his Arsenal loan career so far, while out of favour Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also feature as we try to claw back the tie.
Remember folks, the game kicks off early at 5:55pm The Emirates, and if we don’t manage to get through to the next round, there will undoubtedly be increasing pressure on the Manager to turn things around.
Next up after this particular Thursday night round of games is yet another bogey side (they all seem to be these days!), with the visit of Southampton on Sunday lunchtime, then Bournemouth at home next midweek. Both winnable game under normal circumstances but with Arsenal at a crossroads and confidence ebbing away each week we will no doubt find these next few games tricky to say the least and with Tottenham away next weekend, this could be yet another pivotal week in ours, and Emery’s season.
