Match Preview: Arsenal v Qarabag FK; Wholesale Changes for the Win

Arsenal are set to close the 2018/2019 Europa League group stages with a dead rubber match against Qarabag FK. With progression to the knock out stages already secured, it’s a meaningless match in terms of the competition but there are still some opportunities to be had from such a match.

Running with the Young Guns

In Arsenal’s last Europa match, this one a trip to the nether regions of Ukraine to take on Vorskla Poltava, Emery ran with a team that was predominantly youngsters and a few seasoned pros to round things out.

With qualification and the top spot all but secured, Emery has a chance to give even more of the younger generation a chance to get some well needed minutes.

Last time out we saw Maitland-Niles, Nketiah, Willock and Smith-Rowe get a full 90 minutes under their belt. With injuries mounting and four games over 10 days, we may see them plus the likes of Zech Medley, Bukayo Saka and Charlie Gilmour get the nod from the get-go rather than start on the bench.

But it is the likes of Maitlaind-Niles, Nketiah and Smith-Rowe I’d really like to see again.

With Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitarayan having inconsistent seasons, there is an opportunity for one of these players to force them into Emery’s considerations for a bigger role in the first team, especially as the festive period comes in and the matches come fast.

The most likely candidate to do this has to be Emile Smith-Rowe. With Iwobi and Mkhi’s inconsistencies he is the player best suited to taking their spot in the squad or at least diminishing their opportunities for time even further.

With the U23 squad last year he showed an ability to unlock defenses, set up his teammates and score some brilliant goals.

He is a true product of the Arsenal academy system having arrived at the club at the age of nine and with his budding potential recently penned a new deal keeping him at the club even further. He is without a doubt one of the most exciting academy product since Jack Wilshere.

In fact, Jack had this to say about Smith-Rowe:

“When he has stepped up to [train] with the first team, he hasn’t looked out of place and that’s a sign of someone who has a real opportunity of not just making a career, but playing at this club, which I know is difficult.

“You can see over the years the good players that haven’t quite made it, but he has got something a little bit special, and he has a real chance.”

Emery has urged a little more caution, however;

“It’s better to let him do his way with a humble spirit, working every day like he did in pre-season and now,” he said.

“With Emile we have to be calm. He is doing one step more with his career but he is very young and he needs to earn those opportunities.”

It will be interesting to once again see him and many of his U23 teammates take centre stage. Of course, they should expect some support from seasoned veterans like Cech and Licthsteiner but for the most part, tonight’s team should show us players that have real opportunities to force the club hierarchy to take a stronger look at them.

Playing the Pros

Rotation is going to be key over the next few weeks and with injuries mounting all players will be called on to be ready to play. Tonight offers Emery an opportunity to get some senior match players who’ve just returned some valuable minutes ahead of the remaining league and league cup fixtures that are coming up.

I think we can expect to see in addition to Cech, Lichtsteiner, Guendouzi and Elneny play, we could also see Koscielny, Özil and maybe Monreal come in off the bench. All have just returned from injury and are in need of match fitness.

Of course, their usefulness is needed for the league matches rather than this, but minutes are minutes and especially Koscielny is need of as many as he can get (given the current state of CB situation.)

Another possibility for Emery is to start the pair of Mustafi and Sokratis in CB tonight since they are both suspended for Sunday’s match against Southampton. And then rotate in Koscielny and possibly Medley.

Either way, we suspect that while the balance of the team will be U23 players, we suspect a dash of experience both in the starting XI and on the bench to help ensure the match doesn’t go all pear-shaped

Emery wants to Win

A look at the table right now shows Arsenal sitting three points above Sporting. A mere point will lock top spot in. Sporting could go top on GD if they beat Vorskla by three goals or more.

The thing is – I don’t think Emery is going to play this match for a point. It’s not in his DNA. And I love it.

And yes, he’ll mix the team up significantly, but the charge will be to go out and get three points.

Even though this match means little at this point, Emery will approach it with the same vigor he has every match before it with the desire to bag all three points and end the group stages on a high.