Arsenal Predicted XI vs Molde: Mikel Arteta’s possible starting XI with club-record signing set for chance to redeem red card

Arsenal travel to Norway to take on Molde knowing a victory would guarantee qualification to the knockout phase of the Europa League.

The Gunners currently sit top of Group B after winning all of their opening three matches.

In the reverse fixture, Mikel Arteta’s side cruised to a 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month.

Now the North London side, who will want to end a two-match winless run in all competitions, will be aiming for a similar performance on Thursday.

With a big squad to choose from and games coming thick and fast, which players will Arteta task with trying to secure qualification with two games to spare?

Here we predict the Arsenal starting XI to take on Molde…

Goalkeeper:

Despite being rested for one of three Europa League matches so far, first-choice stopper Bernd Leno is expected to take his place between the sticks again. The German was in top form at the weekend as he helped his side secure a 0-0 draw at Leeds United. Arteta will hope his goalkeeper won’t be as busy in this one but knows he has someone reliable if Molde do trouble the Arsenal goal.

Defenders:

With Wolves visiting the Emirates on Sunday, Arteta could make wholesale changes to the backline which held out at Elland Road. Cedric Soares could again continue in this competition at right-back, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles might be deployed on the opposite side. In the middle, Rob Holding and Gabriel will be given a break with Shkodran Mustafi set for his fifth appearance of the season and David Luiz returning after missing the Leeds match due to the birth of his daughter.

Midfielders:

Bukayo Saka, who was taken off injured against Leeds, is expected to miss this clash alongside fellow absentees Mohamed Elneny (coronavirus) and Thomas Partey (thigh). This means that Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos, who defended admirably against Leeds, are expected to be given another chance to impress. Joe Willock, who also started against Leeds, could also start once more.

Forwards:

Despite his ‘ridiculous’ red card in the draw at Leeds, Mikel Arteta is expected to give Nicolas Pepe the chance to redeem himself in Norway. The winger has shown signs of brilliance but has yet to consistently show his talent since his club-record move from Lille in the summer of 2019. On the other flank we feel that Reiss Nelson, who came on against Leeds, will also get a start. In the centre-forward position, Eddie Nketiah, who failed to get on at the weekend, will go in search of his second Europa League goal this term.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno, Cedric, Mustafi, Luiz, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock; Nelson, Pepe, Nketiah.