ARSENAL face Molde in the Europa League looking to secure their place in the next round.
And with several youngsters on the plane, Mikel Arteta is set to give youth a chance with up to four potentially starting the game.
The Gunners have won all three of their opening Group B fixtures in the Europa League – while averaging three goals per game.
And having beaten Molde 4-1 at the Emirates in their last Europa League game earlier this month, Arteta is seemingly confident he can win in Norway with a youthful XI.
The Arsenal chief has called-up Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun, Miguel Azeez and Ben Cottrell to his travelling party.
The group were seen arriving at Luton airport yesterday for their trip to Scandinavia.
Bernd Leno started against Molde last time out but he is line for a rest with Runar Alex Runnarsson set to step in.
Cedric Soares travelled and is set for a rare start at right-back.
Shkodran Mustafi was on the bench for Sunday’s draw at Leeds so should come back into the starting XI.
David Luiz missed out at Elland Road after the birth of a child but could be back in action alongside Kieran Tierney who also boarded the flight.
Emile Smith Rowe has travelled with Arsenal to take on Molde in Norway[/caption]
Folarin Balogun is also part of Arteta’s travelling party for Thursday’s game[/caption]
Granit Xhaka could play again after starting at Leeds but expect him to come off if the Gunners are looking comfortable.
And Azeez, 18, could be one of the more unfamiliar faces to slot in next to Xhaka after he was seen smiling to cameras at the airport too.
Fellow midfielder Cottrell, 19, is the other young central midfielder in contention for that spot.
Nicolas Pepe is reported to have travelled and will almost certainly start as he is unable to play in Arsenal’s next three Premier League games after his red card on Sunday.
Miguel Azeez is one of four youngsters named in Arsenal’s squad for Molde[/caption]
Runar Alex Runarsson is expected to start in goal for the game vs Molde[/caption]
Joe Willock was man-of-the-match last time out against Molde so should see more game time alongside Smith-Rowe, 20.
Smith Rowe can play anywhere along that attacking midfield line and will be hoping to become the solution to Arsenal’s creative problems.
Eddie Nketiah is the more experienced of the young strikers on board so will likely get the nod up front.
But Folarin Balogun, 19, is also in the squad and will almost certainly get some game time – even if not from the start.
Granit Xhaka is one of Arsenal’s first-teamers travelling to Norway[/caption]
Kieran Tierney has been named in the Arsenal squad to play Molde[/caption]
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
