Arsenal vs Dundalk Predicted Lineup: A Totally Different Side
Arsenal host Dundalk in the Europa League group stages on Thursday.
Like receiving a phone call from a scam company right in the middle of a exceedingly awkward and inescapable conversation, the tonic Arsenal didn’t know they needed after Sunday turns out to be a Europa League tie at home to an Irish football team.
Not just any Irish side, but Dundalk. The first Irish side to both win points and a match in a group stage of European competition. Not too shabby.
They head over to north London for a maiden clash with Arsenal, themselves coming off the back of a 1-0 league loss. An unforgettable moment for the club, its fans and the players is making it into Europe and facing off against a club of Arsenal’s stature, so heading into Thursday and expecting them to fold over is a mindset not to employ. Dundalk deserve almighty credit getting to this stage – they were in Champions League qualifying, we weren’t.
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A game that many of their players may never take part in again, they’ll be fired up for the Emirates. Will Mikel Arteta’s team reflect that? Put it this way, it won’t be as strong as the one that took on Rapid Vienna.
Never underestimate a European opponent, but have faith in your younger players.
I, for one, was disappointed to not see the likes of Reiss Nelson in Austria, but Arteta realised that the opening group clash was the toughest on paper and fielded a side accordingly. Nelson, among others, has a lot to offer the team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get a start for this one.
However, with Manchester United to come at Old Trafford in the Premier League this Sunday – a fixture Arsenal haven’t won for 14 horrific, torturous years – I think we can expect wholesale changes in midweek.
So without further ado, here is your predicted lineup for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Dundalk.
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<p>A game that many of their players may never take part in again, they’ll be fired up for the Emirates. Will Mikel Arteta’s team reflect that? Put it this way, it won’t be as strong as the one that took on <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/19/rapid-vienna-arsenal-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rapid Vienna</a>.</p>
<p>Never underestimate a European opponent, but have faith in your <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/20/arsenal-europa-league-youth-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">younger players</a>.</p>
<p>I, for one, was disappointed to not see the likes of Reiss Nelson in Austria, but Arteta realised that the opening group clash was the toughest on paper and fielded a side accordingly. Nelson, among others, has a lot to offer the team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get a start for this one.</p>
<p>However, with Manchester United to come at Old Trafford in the Premier League this Sunday – a fixture Arsenal haven’t won for 14 horrific, torturous years – I think we can expect wholesale changes in midweek.</p>
<p>So without further ado, here is your predicted lineup for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Dundalk.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A Change in Net? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Goalkeeper & Defenders</h2>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-98980 size-large" title="Mustafi has to play for Arsenal" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1201464585-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Bernd Leno (GK) –</strong> While it’d be nice to see Alex Runarsson given a chance (even Matt Macey) in the team, Arteta has made it fairly clear that he’s got one starting goalkeeper who won’t make way in any competition. Perhaps he’ll change his tone for the FA Cup, but it’s unlikely now.</p>
<p><strong>Cedric Soares (RB) –</strong> Our Portuguese Hector Bellerin… just not quite as good looking, as dependable at the back, as technically sound or as diverse with his runs. He was brought in to the club for Thursday night matches at home to Dundalk though, wasn’t he?</p>
<p><strong>Shkodran Mustafi (CB) –</strong> And there was much rejoicing. His 40 minute cameo against the Foxes was the usual bewildered Mustafi we’ve grown to love, not the much-improved one we saw at the tail end of last season. Haven’t got much choice on this occasion.</p>
<p><strong>Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) –</strong> Arsenal are a better team with Gabriel playing. Confidence on the ball and a striking physical presence, he’s won the hearts of many (everyone) already. Just a shame he has to play with injuries hitting hard. Need him in tip-top shape for Old Trafford.</p>
<p><strong>Sead Kolasinac (LB) –</strong> This is the sort of game where Kolasinac should be able to dominate the flanks. He may be a liability, but he’s a strong one that shouldn’t be getting bullied at home to Irish sides in European competition. Nothing less than an 8/10 is acceptable. It really isn’t.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4-3-3? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Midfielders</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-96698" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1195214627-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Emile Smith Rowe" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Joe Willock (CM) –</strong> Got a few late minutes at Rapid Vienna but he’ll be itching to start on Thursday. Willock had some impressive outings in our group stage matches in last season’s competition, and Arteta will be wanting more of the same here. Make a statement on Thursday, Joe.</p>
<p><strong>Mohamed Elneny (CM) –</strong> Got into a position to set up the winner in Austria which is the kind of area where we’ve been bereft of bodies of late – that ball for Bellerin was wonderfully weighted and picked out. Another one of those from the dependable Elneny would do just nicely.</p>
<p><strong>Emile Smith Rowe (CM)</strong> <strong>–</strong> Do I believe Smith Rowe will start? Not <em>really</em>, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility. Working in tandem with Ainsley Maitland-Niles (spoiler) down whichever flank they play on will allow for movements infield where he can float in between the lines and operate as something *checks notes* called an <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/23/arsenal-lack-creativity-real-concern/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>attacking midfielder</em></a>. Yeah, never heard of it either. Hoping we see a decent outing from Smith Rowe on Thursday.</p>
<p>In possession the formation could move to a <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/24/arteta-arsenal-offensive-imbalance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4-2-3-1</a> and rid Smith Rowe of any great level of defensive duty. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/20/mesut-ozil-exile-arsenal-star/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stick him in the middle</a>, and keep him there.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Reiss' Pieces? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Forwards</h2>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-97359" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/10/27/arsenal-dundalk-predicted-lineup/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1196056106-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Reiss Nelson" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal speaks to Reiss Nelson (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Reiss Nelson (RW) –</strong> Arsenal fans won’t be best pleased if Nelson doesn’t start. Willian is likely to be fit and in with a shout, but it’s the 20-year-old who everyone wants to see play. If he does get the nod, which I think he will, then I hope Arteta allows him to play with some freedom and be encouraged to take on his man every time he gets the ball.</p>
<p><strong>Eddie Nketiah (ST) –</strong> What’s lacking (well, one thing) from recent tepid attacking displays has been adequate movement from the forward line. Alexandre Lacazette loves dropping off and being involved in the phases, but Nketiah make clever runs in between defenders to attack spaces in behind as opposed to in front. If Smith Rowe plays, he should get more scope to do so.</p>
<p><strong>Ainsley Maitland-Niles (LW) –</strong> Again, Willian could come in to add some experience into the side, but with Maitland-Niles not getting much in the way of minutes lately it’ll do him some good to get a run out. Whether him and Nelson swap flanks to strike up partnerships with their closest midfielder we’ll have to wait and see. AMN’s runs off the ball could help unlock a stubborn Dundalk back line.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
