Having blown past Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening Group F game of the new Europa League season, Arsenal welcome Standard Liege to the Emirates Stadium in a top of group clash.
Liege comfortably dispatched Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out leaving them sat second and a goal behind the Gunners, making this a keep clash if Arsenal are to continue their unbeaten Group Stage record in the Europa League.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal have a near full squad available as Kieran Tierney prepares to make his first European start for Arsenal.
Alexandre Lacazette (ankle) and Emile Smith Rowe (knock) are their only absentees.
Standard Liege have a near fully fit squad available as Obbi Oulare is a doubt despite having returned to training this week, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
Orlando Sa (undisclosed) and Noe Dussenne (knee) meanwhile both still remain sidelined for the Belgian visitors.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in four previous meetings with Standard Liege (W4), winning their two previous home meetings 5-0 on aggregate.
- Across those four previous meetings, Arsenal scored 15 goals and conceded just twice.
- Standard Liege have lost seven of their last eight trips to England (D1, L7), with the only exception being a 2-2 draw at Everton during the 2008-09 UEFA Cup.
Prediction
After fighting back to snatch a draw at Manchester United on Monday, Arsenal will fancy their chances against a Standard Liege team who have lost two of their three away trips in all competitions already this season.
I therefore am going for a comfortable home win for the Gunners, although Liege will ask questions of Arsenal’s defence with their strong attacking potent.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Standard Liege
Result: Arsenal 4-0 Standard Liege