Arsenal predicted XI: Mari, Odegaard and Aubameyang start

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Arsenal are gearing up for one of their most crucial games in their season when they face Slavia Prague in the second-leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

Mikel Arteta’s men conceded a last-gasp away goal to go into the rematch level at 1-1. But it seems absolutely vital for the Spaniard that they succeed where the likes of Rangers and Leicester failed earlier this season and knock out the Czech side.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, they have a number of injury concerns ahead of the tie – particularly in the number 10 position.

Bukayo Saka was deployed there at the weekend with both Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe out. But Saka also had to come off with a thigh problem towards the end of the win.

Arsenal would be desperately unlucky to be without all three for Thursday. So a shot in the dark is taken that Odegaard may be ready. But it would be huge if any of the three were available.

Another change from the first-leg comes at centre-back. Pablo Mari – who is on £85,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – was excellent at Bramall Lane, so he may keep his place with Rob Holding being replaced by Gabriel Magalhaes.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed Sunday’s win due to illness. If he is available, it would be a huge gamble to leave him out. Arsenal need a big performance from the forward.

The rest of the side may be unchanged from the first-leg. But it should not be a surprise if the likes of Gabriel Martinelli or Nicolas Pepe feature either.

With that in mind, here is our predicted lineup in full…