Arsenal fans are excited that Mikel Arteta has named yet another strong side to face Olympiacos in the second leg of the Europa League round of 32.
The head coach has made just two changes from the side that beat Everton 3-2 in the Premier League. Eddie Nketiah drops out of the squad as Alexandre Lacazette leads the line.
If any change was expected, that one was, however, as the Frenchman was on press conference duty ahead of this evening's match. During the press conference, he heaped praise on Bukayo Saka - the other player to come into the starting XI tonight - he will start at left-back.
"He's really good. I think he's maybe the best young player in the league," he said .
"Like I said, he needs to improve in a few things but you can see the quality he has and he's humble. The best thing for him is to be involved. He wants to work, he accepts criticism because he wants to improve."
Lacazette will be flanked by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe who have both impressed since returning from the winter break. Aubameyang has scored two headers since coming back which alongside his defensive contributions, have added another element to his game for Olympiacos to be wary of.
Mesut Ozil starts as the No.10. in front of the now-steady double-pivot of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos. Lucas Torreira is on the bench yet again, as is Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Hector Bellerin keeps his place at right-back as Shkodran Mustafi, David Luiz and Saka complete the back four that will play ahead of Bernd Leno in goal. Pablo Mari is not in the squad.
Deciding against playing Emi Martinez, Arteta also explained the thinking behind this choice ahead of the game.
"I have been really pleased with his (Leno's) performances and I have been really pleased with the person that I am getting to know, how professional he is as well," the head coach said ahead of the second leg," the Spaniard said .
"The club was playing four competitions, one of the goalkeepers was playing three and Bernd was playing one. I wanted a little bit more balance at the moment and that’s it.
"Bernd at the moment is number one, if Emi oversteps him then he will be number one. Whoever I think is better to play, he will play."
