Arsenal look to seal direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds when they travel to Spain to face Girona on Wednesday evening.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Girona | FootballTalk.org

The Gunners have enjoyed a solid return to the Champions League for the first time since 2016, sitting third in the table with 16 points from seven games. They need just a point to grab a spot in the round of 16 and avoid a two-legged playoff.

The North London giants enter the contest on the back of a good run of form, winning two and drawing two in their last five games. Amid huge controversy, Mikel Arteta and Co. beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 away last weekend in the Premier League to consolidate their second spot in the table.

Arsenal Team News

Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino missed the 1-0 win over Wolves last weekend with illness and knock, respectively. Thus, the midfield duo’s availability for the Champions League fixture against Girona remains in doubt.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out for Arsenal.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Girona (4-3-3)

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Goalkeeper

With five clean sheets in seven games, David Raya has been enjoying a fantastic debut Champions League campaign with Arsenal. The Spaniard remains an undisputed starter in goal.

Defence

Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose was controversially sent off in the 1-0 win over Wolves, is eligible to play in the Champions League and could start at left-back. This means Riccardo Calafiori, who scored the winner against Wolves, must start on the bench again. Jurrien Timber should operate from the right-back spot as usual.

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba should resume their defensive partnership, aiming to help Arsenal keep a clean sheet at Girona.

Midfield

With Odegaard and Merino doubtful, Arteta could use the experience and nous of Jorginho in a tough away Champions League fixture in Spain. The Italy international’s possible presence at the base of the Gunners’ midfield should allow Declan Rice and Thomas Partey to surge forward and create chances in the final third.

Having recently returned from injury, youth Ethan Nwaneri should drop to the bench after starting at Wolves.

Attack

Gabriel Martinelli hopes to continue his good run of form of late. He will start on the right flank, with Leandro Trossard providing width, dynamism and unpredictability from the opposite wing. Arsenal’s two wide players will chiefly be responsible for providing service for Kai Havertz in the box.

If Arsenal’s front three click into gear and find rhythm, they can cause a lot of problems for Girona’s defence.