Austrian giants, better known as Rapid Vienna, are our hosts tonight in the Europa League.
32 time Austrian champions, and 1 time German champions, they also reached 2 Cup Winners Cup finals.
Current Form:
Won 3, including a 3-0 win over LASK (Spurs opponents tonight) last time out.
They are in the Europa after losing in the Champions League qualifier against Gent.
Who to look out for?
Taxiarchis Fountas is their main goal getter. Top scorer last season, and 4 in 4 already this. He can play anywhere across the frontline, but looks likely to be used behind the striker tonight.
Ercan Kara is the main striker, and has 5 goals already including the winner in the CL tie against Lokomotiva.
Out wide, 21 year old Kelvin Arase had a breakthrough season last year and will be a danger down the right.
At just 17 years of age, Yusuf Demir is a hot prospect. He may not start tonight, but should be involved at some stage. Scored off the bench against Gent, and also got the equaliser against Sturm Graz in the league.
They usually play 4-2-3-1, but could mirror Arsenals usual 3-4-3.
Arsenal's XI will be interesting. There will be some rotation, with Ceballos and Willian not travelling. Mustafi is back in the squad.
One of the reasons given for letting Emi go was that Leno would play all games. This has been shown in the EFL Cup, so a debut for Runarsson may not be forthcoming.
Holding is out, so Luiz and Gabriel may have to continue in the defence. Mustafi could start, but would be a risk after so long out. Kolasinac would be likely to replace Tierney.
If Bellerin is considered for a rest then it is either Cedric or Maitland-Niles. With the latter also an option for LWB, Cedric may get a rare start.
With Ceba out, it is 2 from Elneny, Partey, Xhaka and Willock. I am going for the first two.
The front 3 is questionable. I don't think we will see Auba start, but I wouldn't rule it out. Both Laca and Nketiah started on the bench on Saturday, is that a sign they will both start tonight? Reiss Nelson has barely been involved this season, although Pepe too has found game time hard to come by. Willock, again, is another option.
I'm not confident in predicting tonights line up, but here is my guess:
------------------Leno---------------------
-----Luiz-----Gabriel----Kolasinac---
Cedric---Partey---Elneny---Maitland-Niles
---Nketiah----Lacazette---Nelson-------
We have visited Austria twice in European competition before - both ending in 1-0 defeats.
SK Rapid Wien
posted on 22/10/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 22/10/20
comment by Aubameyang FC (U3245)
posted 8 minutes ago
DJ bigging up this crap team so when we lose tonight it wont look as bad
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Really? Our kids could likely get us through the game on their own. As they usually do get us through these early stages.
I'm of the mind that playing a majority starting 11 side tonight is a bad idea. We've never really needed to before and a season where we're going to get fixture congestion from hell soon enough, is just not the time to start. Only 1st teamers that should be in this game really are Partey, AMN and whomever injuries dictate we have to play. Outside of that, 1st teamers should be rested for Sunday.
I hope Nelson gets a start tonight. I think Arteta is wrong to have dropped him when he did. He was just starting (unlike Willock) to be a positive rather than neutral, influence in games. We didn't loan him so we've really got to play him, because he's ready to take the next step, moreso than any other youngster I think.
posted on 22/10/20
Expect the team to be similar to what you’ve said. Maybe willock might start over elneny, but he always seems to be Artetas favourite sub.
Would be classic Arsenal that partey gets injured in this game and misses the Leicester and Man U fixtures!
posted on 22/10/20
comment by A Catalyst For Change (U7080)
posted 11 minutes ago
Expect the team to be similar to what you’ve said. Maybe willock might start over elneny, but he always seems to be Artetas favourite sub.
Would be classic Arsenal that partey gets injured in this game and misses the Leicester and Man U fixtures!
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Well if he does now, it's YOUR fault
posted on 22/10/20
I'm not sure if he'll start Eddie and Laca together? Maybe Willock will come in for Eddie in that same position on the OP.
He might even start KT as he missed the internationals, so not as though he's at risk of burnout.
posted on 22/10/20
I think our new keeper will start
posted on 22/10/20
comment by Emperor Kami (U9880)
posted 9 minutes ago
I think our new keeper will start
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Maybe, but Arteta likes to play the #1 every game.
posted on 22/10/20
Saka instead of AMN, Pepe for Nelson.
Otherwise it is the team in the OP
posted on 22/10/20
Interesting selection but think too much made of those not starting.
We're in the Thursday/ Sunday quagmire for a couple of months so there will be a lot of rotation
Just don't call Eddie a back up
posted on 22/10/20
Can't see Nelson and Willock being involved in the PL though. They might get a run out against Dundalk though.