Happy Thursday. And Happy Europa League Day.

Tonight is a sell-out at the Emirates, which considering the competition and opponents is fantastic.

If you are a season ticket holder and planning on not going, please ensure you post your ticket on the TX.

Yes, you might not need the £13.58 you will get for the ticket, but by selling it allows another fan to go.

The most expensive ticket for tonights game is £18. Junior Gunners is £4.50 for the family enclosure.

A lot if said about how expensive football is these days. And the media manipulate those tables to bash Arsenal’s season ticket prices. Little is said when Arsenal massively discount tickets for the League Cup and Europa League.

So to repeat, if you are not going, SELL YOUR TICKET. It will probably be bought by a student, someone studying locally. Maybe even going to their first game. By you selling, it gives the next generation a chance to go.

Moving in, I think we will see a much changed team tonight with Liverpool on the horizon Sunday afternoon.

Expect Matt Turner to be in goal, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney in defence. Cedric Soares is also back to full fitness and Rob Holding will be given a run out.

I would not be surprised if Mikel Arteta rests Ben White, William Saliba and Gabirel; playing Tomiyasu at centre back.

Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira will both get a start in the place of Thomas Partey and Martin Odergaard.

With Emile Smith Rowe out injured, and the likes of Charlie Patino, Miguel Azeez, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and Marcelo Flores out on loan, Arteta has a bit of conundrum for the last midfield spot.

Does he look towards the academy – Matt Smith, Cătălin Cîrjan or even Ethan Nwaneri. Or does he go for Mr Reliable Granit Xhaka?

There is also the option of going 343- playing a back 3 of Tomiyasu, Holding, Tierney. Cedric and Lino Sousa as wing backs and just Sambi and Vieira in the middle. This might be too much change though.

I think we will go for Xhaka for that bit of experience, and get him to play a bit deeper than normal alongside Sambi rather than his new advanced position – with him getting further forward if we begin dominiating play comfortably.

Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah will be two of the front line, with Reiss Nelson potentially making up the XI. If Artets opts for 3 at the back, the front 3 stay the same.

Predicted XI:

Turner
Soares Tomiyasu Holding Tierney
Sambi Xhaka
Nelson Vieira Marquinhos
Nketiah

Final couple of thoughts: Just heard on the radio that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored last night for Chelsea. I had actually forgotten he played for them.

And I wonder if Omari Hutchinson is watching on tonight wondering “what if?”.

Whilst he is yet to get a minute of senior time with Chelsea (I still find it odd / egotistical that he was holding a shirt with 7 on the back, then got given the number 56), his repalcement at Arsenal – Marquinhos – looks set to make his 3rd appearance of the season for the table topping Arsenal.

Enjoy the game tonight. And remember to sell your ticket on the TX if you are not going.

Keenos