Arsenal VS Rapid Wien, hosts to win

Match Time：12/4/2020 04:00 Friday  (GMT+8)

UEFA Europa League --  Arsenal   VS   Rapid Wien

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Arsenal will be desperate to bounce back from their lowly defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers when they face off against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

The Gunners have already booked their place in the round of 32, whereas Vienna sit third in Group B heading into the penultimate round of fixtures.

 

Match preview

A year to the day that Unai Emery was relieved of his duties as Arsenal manager, the Spaniard's successor Mikel Arteta witnessed a ghastly performance which could have him fearing for his Emirates future as well.

Arsenal's showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers was marred by a sickening clash of heads between Raul Jimenez and David Luiz, but even after their star striker had to be given oxygen as he was stretchered off and transported to hospital, Wolves produced a top-class performance to travel back to the West Midlands with three points in the bag.

Arteta witnessed his side score a long-overdue goal from open play in the Premier League as Gabriel Magalhaes powered a header home, but strikes from Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence saw Wolves come out on top and condemn Arsenal to a third top-flight defeat in a row on familiar territory.

The Gunners, like many teams, are afflicted with numerous injuries at the moment, but Arteta has now overseen Arsenal's worst ever start to a Premier League season after 10 matches and a top-four charge already looks dead in the water heading into the festive period.

One thing that Gooners can take solace in is their side's dominance in Europa League Group B, with Arsenal already guaranteed to advance to the knockout stages, and Arteta's side can secure top spot in the group with victory on their own turf against Vienna.

Rapid Vienna boast a far better goal difference than second-placed Molde, but having lost 1-0 to the Norwegian outfit back in October, this week's visitors to the Emirates find themselves outside of the top two.

Since losing their opening two group matches, the Austrian giants have notched up seven goals in two successive victories against Dundalk to keep their knockout dreams alive and confirm the Irish side's elimination in the process.

With Molde expected to further their own bid for a top-two finish with a victory against Dundalk on matchday five, Rapid Vienna will know that nothing less than a win at the Emirates - however difficult that may be - will do before their crunch showdown with Molde in the final round of group matches.

Dietmar Kuhbauer's side have been faltering in the league, though, with Rapid Vienna's winless streak stretching to three top-flight matches as Austria Vienna held them to a 1-1 draw in the capital derby.

Arsenal just about managed to eke out a win when they paid a visit to Austria on matchday one, with Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both netting after Taxiarchis Fountas had opened the scoring for Rapid Vienna.

 

Arsenal Europa League form: WWWW

Arsenal form (all competitions): WWLDWL

Rapid Vienna Europa League form: LLWW

Rapid Vienna form (all competitions): WWDLWD

 

Team News

Arsenal have confirmed the solemn news that Thomas Partey's injury is worse than first thought, and the summer arrival is likely to remain on the treatment table until 2021.

Luiz played on for another 30 minutes with blood seeping through his bandage against Wolves - a move which was heavily criticised - and the Brazilian defender is confirmed to be missing this one out.

Nicolas Pepe should start this one amid his domestic suspension, while Reiss Nelson - who was dropped for Willian at the weekend in spite of his impressive performance at Molde - is expected to get the nod on the opposite flank.

Aubameyang's struggles in front of goal continued against Wolves - despite finding himself in a more familiar central role - and the 31-year-old will make way for either Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah here.

As for Thursday's visitors, midfield duo Dejan Petrovic and Dejan Ljubicic are thought to be nearing returns to action, but the trip to Arsenal will come too soon for both players.

Wholesale changes are unlikely, but Fountas made an appearance from the bench in the Vienna derby and will be dreaming of a second goal against the Gunners this week, so he should start this one.

 

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Runarsson; Cedric, Mustafi, Holding, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Elneny; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nelson; Lacazette

Rapid Vienna possible starting lineup:

Gartler; Stojkovic, Hofmann, Barac, Ullmann; Grahovac, Knasmullner; Schick, Demir, Fountas; Kara

 

Arsenal 3-1 Rapid Vienna

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