Arsenal gunning for unbeaten Sporting
NEITHER Arsenal or AC Milan would consider the Europa League to be their true level but both have made flying starts to the competition this year ahead of stiff challenges today.
Arsenal look to build on two wins from two at also perfect Sporting Lisbon in Group E while Milan host Real Betis as first meets second in Group F.
Gunners’ manager Unai Emery will wait on the fitness of defenders Nacho Monreal, Saed Kolasinac and Sokratis before finalising his side for the trip to Portugal.
Arsenal are on a high after 10 wins in a row in all competitions and a stunning performance from Mesut Oezil at the weekend.
Emery wants the former Germany forward to show the kind of display he produced against Leicester week in, week out.
“I think (Oezil) can play every match with this commitment and with this quality, whether he is captain or not captain,” the Spanish coach said.
Milan host visiting Betis, trailing the leaders on four points and reeling from two straight defeats in the Spanish Liga.
The seven-time European champions, meanwhile, are trying to digest a bitter last-gasp 1-0 defeat in the derby with Inter Milan, which kept them mid-table in Serie A as they chase one of the four top spots to enter the next Champions League - a goal also achievable by winning the Europa League.
Luxembourg’s Dudelange seek their first European point at home to Olympiacos in the other game.
Chelsea could rest star player Eden Hazard for the visit of BATE Barisov in Group L. Hazard has been an integral part of the side that has gone 12 games unbeaten but manager Maurizio Sarri is set to leave him out, in part to rest a minor back injury.
There’s a table-topping Group A clash when Zurich host Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen are struggling domestically with coach Heiko Herrlich coming under increasing pressure.
In Group H commanded by Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi travels with the Rome squad to meet Marseille, with last year’s beaten finalists struggling on one point.
Frankfurt have six and can take a massive step towards the knock-out phase at home to Apollon Limassol.
“We’re not saying it’s a foregone conclusion - that would be wrong - but we want to win and put ourselves in an excellent position in the group,” sporting director Bruno Huebner told the club homepage.
There is a crucial clash in Group B as RB Leipzig host Celtic with both teams on three points, trailing leaders RB Salzburg.
Sevilla are expected to rotate their side against Akhisar Belediyespor in Group J. That could mean Luis Muriel, who scored off the bench at the Camp Nou on Saturday, keeps his place in the starting eleven as they try to close in on leaders Krasnodar, who meet Standard Liege.
Villarreal face Rapid Vienna in tight Group G. The sides are third and second respectively, while Steven Gerrard’s Rangers lead Group G before hosting Spartak Moscow.