Europa league action returns to the Emirates as Arsenal face Irish champions Dundalk in the second round of the group stages in this year’s competition.
Arsenal are joined by Molde on top of the group, with Dundalk in third place after losing their opening game.Arsenal had a bit of trouble overcoming Rapid Wien in their opening European game, with late goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sparing their blushes in a 2-1 win.
No such goals saved them against Leicester over the weekend in the Premier League, with Arsenal turning in a poor performance and getting sucker-puched by a late Jamie Vardy goal to lose 1-0 at the Emirates.The Gunners are 11th in the Premier League table, and will be hoping to bounce back in the Europa League.
As for Dundalk, they were left disappointed after Sean Murray’s opening goal was canceled out by goals from Etzaz Hussain and Anthony Omoijuanfo in the second half, giving Molde a 2-1 win in Ireland.
The defending champions of Ireland’s Premier Division faced further disappointment in league action, going down to Waterford in a 1-0 loss, albeit with a much-changed lineup.
Arsenal vs Dundalk Team news
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta saw David Luiz limp off with hamstring trouble against Leicester City and is dealing with a full-blown centre-back injury crisis, despite Arsenal employing eight of them. Sokratis and WIlliam Saliba weren’t registered by Arsenal for this competition, a decision that the Gunners may come to regret.
Shkodran Mustafi is likely to start, but with Gabriel Magalhaes needing a rest, Sead Kolasinac might be employed as a left-sided centre-back, although Mo Elneny is also an emergency option, should Calum Chambers be unable to attain fitness in time.
With a match against Manchester United up next, Arteta is likely to ring in the changes, especially given the quality of opposition they are facing.
Injuries: David Luiz, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding, Gabriel Martinelli
Doubtful: Calum Chambers, Willian
Suspensions: None
Dundalk
Dundalk were a semi-professional club the last time they made the Europa League group stages in 2016, oo it’s no surprise that their manager Filippo Giovagnoli lacks a UEFA Pro license and will not be allowed on the touchline against Arsenal.
Nonetheless, the Italian will be the one calling the shots, and it’s not surprising that all of his playing squad are fully fit for a historic game against Arsenal. Giovagnoli is likely to persist with the same starting XI that led for over an hour against Molde last week.
Injuries: None
Doubtful: None
Suspensions: None
Arsenal vs Dundalk Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted XI (3-4-3): Runar Alex Runarsson (GK); Shkodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny, Sead Kolasinac; Cedric Soares, Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Nicolas Pepe, Edward Nketiah, Reiss Nelson
Dundalk (4-3-3):Gary Rogers (GK); Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Daniel Cleary, Darragh Leahy; Sean Murray, Chris Shields, Patrick McEleney; John Mountney, Patrick Hoban, Michael Duff
