Potential Arsenal Lineup Against AC Milan | UEFA Europa League

Arsenal host AC Milan with a comfortable 2-0 aggregate lead over their Italian opposition, as the Gunners eye a quarterfinal place in European competition for the first time since 2009/10.

Arsenal ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at the San Siro last week against AC Milan in their round-of-16 first leg tie. In the process, Arsenal ended their dreadful run of four consecutive defeats in all competition, in addition to taking a two-goal (away) advantage back to the Emirates for the return leg.

It may seem like Arsenal have one foot into the quarter-final of the competition, but AC Milan are no pushovers, as they are more than capable of turning the tie around. Despite a strong defensive performance by the Gunners in the first leg, Milan will know that this particular area is Arsenal’s weakness and will look to exploit it.

However, on a positive side, Arsenal have key defensive players returning for this clash and will be boosted by the presence of Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin, both of whom missed the San Siro clash. Shkodran Mustafi, on the other hand, could be a doubt for the game after suffering a knock against Watford.

Arsene Wenger has been rather transparent with his goalkeepers’ selections right from the start of the season, and hence David Ospina is expected to start the second leg against Milan. Ospina was tremendous between the sticks at the San Siro and another clean sheet against Milan will boost his confidence ahead of the next round.

Arsene Wenger could make some significant changes to Arsenal’s back line for the second leg clash. Laurent Koscielny could return after missing the Watford game at the weekend, but Shkodran Mustafi remains a doubt. Wenger could partner Koscielny and Holding/Chambers or bring back Nacho Monreal in the central defensive position.

Hector Bellerin returns to the squad, which would mean no place in the starting-XI for Ainsley Maitland-Niles who started at right back against Watford. On the other end, Sead Kolasinac could yet retain his position after some impressive performances in the absence of Nacho Monreal and thus could build his confidence further.

Wenger likely retains the same midfield and attack from the San Siro clash, with Wilshere, Xhaka and Ramsey forming the central midfield trio, while Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are expected to play in support of the central striker.

Danny Welbeck will yet again start as Arsenal’s central striker, as Alexandre Lacazette is still recovering from his knee surgery and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible for the Europa League this season. Welbeck will be looking for a goal this time, despite impressing with his all-round play in the first-leg.