Luiz return, Runarsson in goal, Reiss Nelson to start – Predicted Arsenal lineups against Molde

David Luiz is back fit and contention for feature, while Reiss Nelson should start as Mikel Arteta’s side gear up to take on Molde in the Uefa Europa League.

Arsenal will hope to book their place in the Uefa Europa League knockout stages when they take on Molde at the Aker Stadium on Thursday evening and Mikel Arteta has a few fresh issues to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

While Gabriel Martinelli and Pablo Mari continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries, Calum Chambers is still some way off being ready for first-team action.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Elneny, Sead Kolasinac and Thomas Partey remain unavailable. The fresh absentees from Arsenal though, are Willian and Bukayo Saka, who sustained minor injuries this past weekend.

However, there is some good news, as David Luiz is in the travelling squad to Norway following the birth of his daughter at the weekend. Luiz though, might be preserved till the weekend, with Shkodran Mustafi coming in to partner Rob Holding at the heart of the Arsenal defence.

Out wide, a new-look full-back pairing will see Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Cedric Soares coming in, with Runar Alex Runarsson set to get a rare chance in the Arsenal goal.

Up ahead in midfield, the continued absence of Elneny and Partey means Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos will remains a part of the double pivot, with Joe Willock reprising the no. 10 role again.

Heading into the game, the big talking point has been Nicolas Pepe’s petulant act during the game against Leeds United over the weekend. However, during his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta imposed his faith in the Ivorian, suggesting that Pepe could start against Molde.

Despite having a game to forget on Sunday, Nicolas Pepe should indeed start on the right side of the Arsenal attack, with Reiss Nelson coming in for the injured Willian on the left-flank. Up top, Aubameyang should make way for Eddie Nketiah, who leads the line against Molde.

Arsenal Predicted XI:Runarsson; Cedric, Mustafi, Holding, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Ceballos; Pepe, Willock, Nelson; Nketiah

Related