ARSENAL:
Desperate for a comeback, BATE Borisov will be heading into the second leg of the Europa League last 32-tie to lock horns with the rising Arsenal who are keen to make things difficult for BATE. Arsenal started off the campaign on a bright note but later as the game progressed, Unai Emery helplessly watched the team going downhill. The Gunners are only one point adrift of the Red Devils and they will be eyeing to make a comeback in the Champions League and win the Europa League. The cause of the disaster is the constant deflections in the line-up where Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil constantly find themselves in and out even when they are fit. It is necessary for the Gunners to produce some positive results on Thursday as their weakness isn’t avoided especially with Ramsey and that BATE is desperate to nail Emery’s team to ashes.
With Ramsey suffering from a knee problem, Emery will be looking forward to opening a clear window for Denis Suarez to make his first start since a loan move from Barcelona. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to the starting lineup in place of the suspended Alexandre Lacazette, while Lucas Torreira may come back into the team ahead of Matteo Guendouzi. Ozil could also find himself included in the 18-man squad. The game will also mark the return of Alexander Hleb to Arsenal, with the playmaker having enjoyed a spell with the Gunners between 2005 and 2008. However, the 37-year-old may not be included from the start on Thursday night.
Probable Line-ups: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Iwobi, Suarez, Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang.
Recent form: WWDWWL
BATE Borisov:
While BATE is improving with every match passing by not only winning the domestic league but also dismantling Arsenal beautifully last week. Now Alyaksey Baha must prepare his team for the second leg but with their current form, the pressure is being transferred to Arsenal. While BATE is confident and is currently eyeing to grab a spot in the last-16 of this competition for the first time. Although their start was a bit rough with three defeats out of four fixtures-one against Chelsea- later they went on to win three consecutive matches. Indeed the match itself has a class difference but last week’s victory over Arsenal will definitely boost the morale of BATE.
BATE boss Baha is likely to keep alterations down to a minimum, although Yevgeniy Berezkin could get the nod over Hleb in midfield.
Probable Line-ups: Scherbitski; Rios, Volkov, Filipenko, Filipovic; Baga, Dragun, Berezkin; Milic, Skavysh, Stasevich.
Recent form: LLLWWW
VENUE:
Time: 5:55 pm, February 21, Thursday.
Place: Emirates Stadium.
PLAYERZPOT PREDICTION:
Arsenal’s home record is quite better while BATE will be showing off their full effort to score high but the Gunners can dominate the match.
PLAYERZPOT PLAYING XI:
