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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Arsenal predicted XI vs Rapid Vienna as Mikel Arteta rings changes after Wolves defeat

Mikel Arteta is expected to make 10 changes to the team which lost 2-1 to Wolves as Arsenal host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

The Gunners suffered their third consecutive home loss in the Premier League on Sunday and their forward line struggled in front of goal once again.

But one competition where Arsenal have been in fine form is the Europa League, in which they top Group B with four wins from four.

A 3-0 win at Molde last week wrapped up qualification to the last 32, so Gunners boss Arteta will be able to rest some of his stars against Rapid Vienna ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Tottenham.

Arteta may make 10 changes to the team which lost to Wolves (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson is expected to make his third start for Arsenal after keeping clean sheets in the 3-0 victories over Dundalk and Molde.

In front of the Iceland shot-stopper, Arteta is likely to name an entirely-changed back four of Cedric Soares, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Sead Kolasinac provides another option at left-back after recovering from coronavirus, though David Luiz will miss out after suffering a head injury against Wolves.

Nelson may start in the advanced midfield three after scoring last week (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Further up the pitch, Granit Xhaka may be the only player to keep his place from the XI against Wolves and could partner Mohamed Elneny in a double pivot.

In the advanced slots, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Nicolas Pepe may feature. Nelson and Pepe were amongst the goals against Molde, while the latter continues to serve a three-match ban in the Premier League.

Up front, Alexandre Lacazette is likely to start after he was benched for the visit of Wolves. Arteta has preferred Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a central role in recent games, meaning Lacazette has had to settle for a starting role in the Europa League.

Arsenal predicted starting XI: Runarsson; Cedric, Mustafi, Holding, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Elneny; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nelson; Lacazette.

What is your prediction for Arsenal versus Rapid Vienna? Have your say here.

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