Arsenal kicked off their European campaign with 2-1 victory over Austrian side Rapid Vienna last week, they will be hoping to replicate their success as they take on Ireland Premier Division team Dundalk at home on Thursday evening. 

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that David Luiz is out of Europa League action this week and is a 'big doubt' for Arsenal's trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

The Brazilian defender picked up a thigh injury against Leicester City last Sunday, whilst he is being assessed for the United game, he definitely won't be fit to face their Irish opponents Dundalk. 

This is not good news for Arsenal, it means they have just two available centre-backs for the match at Emirates Stadium. Both Sokratis Papastathopoulos and William Saliba were not included in Arteta’s Europa League squad whilst Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding are, like Luiz, not fit to feature.

Predicted XI

With that in mind, the Arsenal boss is likely to switch up his formation once again and return to fielding a back-three, possibly Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel Magalhaes and Sead Kolasinac.

Bernd Leno featured in goal last week for the Gunners, but it must be time for the long-awaited debut of Runar Alex Runarsson. This competition is the perfect platform for the 25-year-old to make his first Arsenal appearance. It would make sense as it would allow Leno to rest for the Premier League

The wing-backs should be rotated too, meaning Cedric Soares gets another start and due to Bukayo Saka picking up a knock last weekend, you would think that Ainsley Maitland-Niles will operate on the left and Arteta will rest Saka for the Red Devils on Sunday. 

In central midfield, a revitalised Mohamed Eleney should definitely come into the side, with either Joe Willock or Thomas Partey the most likely option to play alongside him.

In attack, Eddie Nketiah is expected to lead the line. Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson is pushing to start after impressing in training and he could be joined on the wings by Nicolas Pepe.

However considering Willian wasn’t added to the injury report, despite another absence, and was seen training on Saturday, he is likely available for selection this Thursday. So we could see the Brazilian feature in the front three.

Arsenal predicted lineup (3-4-3): Runarsson; Mustafi, Gabriel, Kolasinac; Cedric, Elneny, Partey, Maitland-Niles; Pepe, Nketiah, Willian.

With the Gunners in desperate need of a win on Thursday, following Sunday’s defeat to Leicester, fans will be expecting their team to claim all three points. Tune into BT Sport 2 for an 8 pm kick-off at Emirates Stadium. 

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