How Arsenal could line up against Zurich in crunch clash with Mikel Arteta ringing changes but Bukayo Saka fit
BUKAYO SAKA is in line for selection ahead of Arsenal’s crunch Europa League group stage match against Zurich.
The Gunners have to beat the Swiss side to top the group otherwise a win for PSV Eindhoven would see the Dutch outfit pinch top spot.
PSV saw off Arsenal 2-0 last week and know if the Gunners draw and they win then their head-to-head advantage would see them top the group.
Boss Mikel Arteta will also be keen to avoid extra games in the new year, and finishing second in the group would see the Gunners play a preliminary knockout round against the teams dropping down from the Champions League.
Teams include: Ajax, Barcelona, Juventus, Leverkusen, Salzburg, Sevilla, Shakhtar and Sporting CP.
An early dust up with big boys Barcelona, Juventus or Europa League specialists Sevilla could see Arsenal drop out of the competition at the Round of 32.
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Topping the group, however, would place Arsenal in the Round of 16, skipping two games.
With how important Thursday’s game against Zurich is, Aaron Ramsdale will get the nod in goal.
The England international could have a back four of Cedric, Rob Holding, William Saliba and Kieran Tierney protecting him.
Mohamed Elneny is just returning from injury, but has been training with the squad for a week or two, boss Arteta confirmed.
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He could get the nod alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Martin Odegaard may be selected to supply Arsenal’s front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
Alternatively, Thomas Partey could be brought in to lock off the midfield.
Saka could be rested and two-goal hero Reiss Nelson may be handed a start.
And should Elneny not be ready, Fabio Vieira could step in.