Arsenal v Rapid Vienna: Team News and Predicted Line-Up

Arsenal will host Rapid Vienna in their next match in the Europa League in front of fans for the first time in over six months.

After the horrendous 2-1 loss at home to Wolves in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta and his side welcome a European night to get away from the pressure of league action.

With qualification to the next stage already secured, Arteta could give some much-needed game time to the club’s younger players.

Emile Smith Rowe, Ben Cottrell, and Miguel Azeez could all see some game time with Smith Rowe in line to start against Rapid Vienna.

Team news

Sead Kolasinac is back in contention and cleared to play for the Gunners after testing positive for Covid-19 during the international break last month. Nicolas Pepe is also expected to start as his three-game suspension only covers league matches.

Pablo Mari is stepping up his recovery from a knee injury after recently running out for the U/23’s along with Calum Chambers and both could be set for a place on the bench as they edge closer to a return to the first team.

David Luiz is available after his nasty head knock with Raul Jimenez. Luiz was taken off at halftime as he did not look comfortable in the aftermath however it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will take a chance with the defender with qualification to the next round already secured.

Gabriel Martinelli is also out, and the attacker is hoping to feature for the U/23’s before the end of the year.

Thomas Partey is still out however Mikel Arteta spoke to the media midweek and gave an insight into how the Ghanaian is traveling,

“He’s been training separately in the last week or so and we have to scan him again to see how he’s feeling. 

“He’s a player that is so willing, that is pushing us every day and he wants to do it” Arteta said.

 “At the same time, we have to protect him and make sure that when he gets back in the team, he is ready to do that and to whatever extent of minutes we can use him, so it’s going to be crucial with the moment he starts to train with the team to see how he is feeling and how he is evolving day-to-day”.

The Arsenal boss was then asked if Partey could feature against Spurs,

We don’t know again, he is really pushing every day and he’s trying to get around the doctor and the physios but he hasn’t trained with the team yet so let’s see this week if he can get a session or two and then assess him, we need to scan him again so we can see the extent of the injury and how it’s healed.

 I know if it’s up to Thomas then he wants to play tomorrow. We have to see medically that he is safe to participate at all.

With four wins from four in the Europa League, it has been plain sailing for Arsenal in the group stages. It presents a fantastic opportunity for the younger players to take centre stage while much of the first-team squad is rested.

Predicted XI: Runarsson, Cedric, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Elneny, Xhaka, Maitland Niles, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Pepe.

Prediction: At home in front of fans for what seems like forever, Arsenal should get the job done and continue their dominance in the group.

Arsenal 3-1 Rapid Vienna