Changes galore and so much more: What to expect when Arsenal face Dundalk

Smith-Rowe Maitland-Niles

Changes galore and so much more: What to expect when Arsenal travel to Dundalk in the Europa League on Thursday night

By Adam Le Roux

With qualification to the knockout stage already sewn up, Arsenal’s biggest challenge when travelling to Ireland to face Dundalk on Thursday night will be seeing if they can maintain their 100% record in the Europa League group stage this season.

The Gunners are yet to drop any points from their five European fixtures in the current campaign, and success at Oriel Park will make them the first English side to take maximum points in the group stage since Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.

One eye will already be on next Monday’s knockout stage draw, as Mikel Arteta’s side will find out their fate for the round of 32 when the competition resumes in February, but a professional performance is a must in midweek after a miserable North London Derby defeat last time out.

So, for the last time in a while, we look forward to a Thursday night tie under the lights, as Arsenal look for a repeat of the 3-0 success when the Irish side visited the Emirates earlier in the competition.

We are now arriving at Dundalk… All change please.

With some crucial Premier League fixtures on the horizon, it will be no shock to see Arteta choose a fresh-faced XI for the trip to Ireland, with a number of players eager for more game time.

With must-win matches against Burnley, Southampton and Everton all to come in a six-day stretch next week, the Gunners boss will be forgiven for not having the dead rubber across the Irish Sea at the top of his priority list at the moment.

Therefore, we are likely to see a number of what have become Europa League regulars on Thursday night, with the peripheral players given their time to shine and to try and catch their manager’s eye.

Nelson and Willock

The duo of Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson have excelled in their matches on the continent this season, with the former finding the net in the reverse fixture back in October to cap off another fine display from the promising 21-year-old.

Goalkeeper Alex Runarsson and the returning Pablo Mari will no doubt be selected to start the final European match of the year, while Folarin Balogun and Emile Smith-Rowe will be itching for their first starts of the season.

It might be a maybe for Martinelli

How good was it to see Gabriel Martinelli back in a red and white shirt earlier in the week, Arsenal fans?

After nine long months without a first team game, the Brazilian starlet finally made his return to the pitch in the Papa John’s Trophy against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night, as he played the first 45 minutes in the 3-0 defeat to the Wombles.

The 19-year-old was a breath of fresh air last season with his energy and enthusiasm in the front line, before knee surgery in July ruled him out for the remainder of the year.

Gabriel Martinelli

But after coming back quicker than anticipated, the striker - who netted ten times in his 26 appearances last season - will be a welcome addition to the Gunners’ lineup when he is back to his peak.

Unfortunately, the Dundalk clash has probably come just too soon for the academy graduate, who would have benefitted from some inconsequential game time in the first team given the chance.

Even so, even the fact that he is being mentioned as a possibility again is a positive for Arsenal fans, with his panache and flair desperately needed up top with the lack of goals in the side at the moment.

A free shot for Arteta

They may have clogged up the fixture list throughout the last few months, but these Thursday night matches in Europe will have given Mikel Arteta plenty of food for thought this season, and this will be his last chance to experiment with his formation and team selection as he sees fit.

With top spot in the group already sealed, the Spaniard could pick any side he wishes in Ireland, which could make the viewing all the more interesting.

Willian in the hole supporting a front two of Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah, why not? Ainsley Maitland-Niles and 17-year-old Miguel Azeez running the game from midfield? Yes please.

Miguel Azeez

With the mood around the Emirates getting darker by the day the Arsenal boss would be in his right mind to make a selection that would please the masses watching from home, and give them all something to be hopeful about.

With their Premier League form falling off a cliff, the Gunners are priding themselves on their upcoming talent in the academy, and what better way to show the world what they can do than giving them their opportunity in the first team here.

It’s not everyday that a football manager gets what is essentially a free shot at a game - you aren’t going to try this against Everton at Goodison Park next Saturday - but that is exactly what this is, and the opportunity should be taken with both hands.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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