UNAI EMERY could start Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe up front together for the first time on Sunday against Tottenham. While Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac could get their first starts this season when Spurs travel to the Emirates this weekend. Arsenal are looking to beat Mauricio Pochettino’s side at home in the […]
UNAI EMERY could start Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe up front together for the first time on Sunday against Tottenham.
While Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac could get their first starts this season when Spurs travel to the Emirates this weekend.
Arsenal are looking to beat Mauricio Pochettino’s side at home in the Premier League for the third season in a row.
Both teams lost last time out in the top-flight, with Liverpool beating the Gunners 3-1 at Anfield and Newcastle shocking Spurs to win 1-0.
Despite this being the fourth game of the season, the two North London clubs know this is a must-win match.
Emery knows he has a tough decision on his hands whether or not to change it up in defence after their loss against the Reds.
While he could look to exploit Spurs’ vulnerability at the back by choosing to start his main three attackers.
Bernd Leno will retain his place between the sticks, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles to continue being deployed at right-back until Hector Bellerin recovers from his knee injury.
Greek defensive stalwart Sokratis Papastathopoulos could start alongside David Luiz for the third game in a row, with Emery potentially cautious about dropping the Brazilian after his second half horror show in Merseyside.
Should he decide to take him out of the firing line, then Calum Chambers – who was superb against Newcastle in the opening weekend – will be recalled to the starting XI.
There is also a debate over who will start at left-back with Nacho Monreal heavily linked with a move to Real Sociedad – with Emery confirming he could depart.
It is likely that Bosnian ace Kolasinac will get the nod after patiently waiting to get back in the mix.
A midfield three could consist of Granit Xhaka, Torreira and Dani Ceballos, though Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock have impressed in recent weeks and will be looking to start once again.
After showing his potential against Liverpool, Pepe is likely to retain his spot in the side where he will be shifted to right wing.
Aubameyang – who netted twice against Spurs last campaign and missed a penalty at Wembley in the last minute – will slot in on the left flank, with Lacazette leading the line.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unlikely to be get the nod following his poor performance against the Magpies, with Reiss Nelson also having to settle for a space on the bench.
