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Andy Ha & Lee Wilmot & James Benge

Maitland-Niles back in midfield, Ozil left out - How Unai Emery should line up vs Standard Liege

After a fine 3-0 win away at Eintracht Frankfurt, it's matchday two in the Europa League for Arsenal.

Belgian outfit Standard Liege are the visitors to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night, and the Gunners know that a win would put them firmly in the driving seat to qualify from group F.

Emery has given his young talent the chance to shine in Europe since he has been at the club, and against Liege it is unlikely to be any different.

The big question will be whether or not Mesut Ozil plays.

We asked our resident Arsenal supporters how they would line up the team against the Belgian outfit if they were in charge and it seems like it's an easy decision for Emery.

James Benge - Arsenal correspondent

Benge's team: Martinez; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney; Torreira, Maitland-Niles; Pepe, Willock, Nelson; Martinelli

You might have noticed the glaring Mesut Ozil-shaped hole in the side I’d pick. But ultimately what is the point of picking a player the club want to sell and whose best years are, in all likelihood, behind him?

Ozil has been and could again be an exceptional footballer but there is too much pressure, history, conversation and frankly just everything surrounding him at Arsenal. Right now the club is better off focusing on developing those who might improve.

So why not use the Europa League to give Ainsley Maitland-Niles a long overdue run in midfield and to see how Joe Willock fares higher up the pitch? Unai Emery might learn something new.

Of course it would be helpful for Arsenal if they could win this game and while this side should have enough to do so I would have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench for insurance. Ideally he shouldn’t be playing in this competition again in 2019 but the quicker Arsenal wrap up qualification the quicker the more certain they can they won’t need the striker.

Andy Ha - Live blogger and Arsenal fan

Ha's team: Martinez, Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Tierney, Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Willock, Pepe, Martinelli, Nelson

This game is the perfect opportunity for Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney to get more minutes under their belts ahead of a Premier League return.

With the right-back position now more crowded than before, Ainsley Maitland-Niles can return to his natural midfield slot, giving Joe Willock license to get forward.

After his difficult night at Old Trafford, Nicolas Pepe should get a start here to hopefully score and build his confidence ahead of the Bournemouth game. The exciting Gabriel Martinelli will no doubt lead the line.

And here is the team we think Emery will play: Martinez; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney; Torreira, Willock; Pepe, Ozil, Nelson; Martinelli

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