Arsenal make the trip to Portugal to face Vitoria de Guimaraes knowing that three points will really be enough to secure their place in the Europa League knockout stages. and maintain their unbeaten run.
Courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Vitoria at the end of last month, Arsenal are perfectly placed to progress into the last 32 of this competition, but letting leads slip in each of their last three domestic games has put Emery under severe pressure at the Emirates Stadium.
While an eight-game unbeaten streak gave reason for Unai Emery to be optimistic about the development of his side, the subsequent five-match period has suggested that their earlier spell had simply papered over the cracks.
On the other hand, Vitoria sit bottom of Group F having failed to earn a single point from their opening three fixtures.
The Portuguese team will aim to at least pick a point in order to give their home supporters something to cheer.
Head To Head
Arsenal’s last and only meeting with the Portuguese side was two weeks ago – and we all remember how that went down. The Gunners were surprised by Vitória’s performance and only gained a win thanks to two late free-kicks from Pépé, making it a much more dramatic European fixture than first anticipated.
Possible Line Ups
Vitoria de Guimaraes: Douglas; Rochinha, Tapsoda, Henrique, Hanin; Evangelista, Agu, Teixeira; Edwards, Duarte, Pereira
Arsenal: Martinez; Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Willock; Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Martinelli
Betting Tips
While Emery will make alterations for this contest, we feel that Arsenal should still come through with minimal fuss. Vitoria showed their quality in the reverse fixture, which should result in the visitors possessing no complacency ahead of this game