Arsenal will look to end their UEFA Champions League group stage run on a high when they travel to face Girona at the Estadio Montilivi on Wednesday, January 29.
Currently in third place with 16 points from seven games so far, the Gunners have aced their first appearance in the competition’s new format. They have scored 14 and conceded just two goals in the competitions so far, and have the joint second-best defensive record alongside Liverpool.
They have won their last three Champions League games in style, defeating Sporting CP (5-1), AS Monaco (3-0) and Dinamo Zagreb (3-0) to climb up the table. Now, with an out-of-form Girona left to play and a point to formalize qualification to the next round, Mikel Arteta’s men will look to finish things off in style.
So how will Arsenal lineup for their trip to Spain?
Possible Arsenal XI: Odegaard in, Nwaneri out?
David Raya has done exceptionally well in the Champions League so far and has kept five clean sheets in seven matches so far. He only trails Yann Sommer of Inter Milan, who has kept six clean sheets, including one against the Gunners in their 1-0 win in November. Raya will take his place between the sticks and aim to earn his sixth clean sheet as well.
In defense, Arteta will stick with the same backline that played against Wolves. Jurrien Timber will start in the right-back spot, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes the center-back pairing. Riccardo Calafiori’s match-winning goal against Wolves will do enough to earn him a starting spot ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who will be given some deserved rest.
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Martin Odegaard should return from his absence due to illness to take back the captain’s armband and his spot on the right side of midfield. Thomas Partey will start in the middle, with Declan Rice on the left side.
Up front, Gabriel Martinelli will look to continue his good run of performances and will start on the right flank. The in-form Leandro Trossard will start on the left, with Kai Havertz up top.
Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard (C), Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
