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How Arsenal will line-up against Standard Liege with Tierney, Holding and Bellerin set for more minutes and outcast Ozil to return

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ARSENAL host Standard Liege in the Europa League tonight with the tie another chance to bring Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney into the fold.

Both full-backs are being gradually introduced to the team after long periods out injured.

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The Spaniard suffered a serious knee injury at the turn of the year and has only featured off the bench in the Carabao Cup, while Tierney played 77 minutes of that win over Nottingham Forest.

Tonights match provides an opportunity to play them both from the start, Unai Emery declaring beforehand that Bellerin was "feeling well".

The coach added: "Tomorrow, normally, he is going to play."

Tierney has pulled out of the Scotland squad as Emery wants him to be eased back to full fitness with his club before helping his country.

The Frenchman said: "It's also important with the national team but we are thinking it is not the moment to work with them.

"For the next matches, I think he is going to be ready to play with us and to play with them."

The usual rotations should take place after the Gunners began their Group F campaign with a convincing 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

That means possible starts for Gabriel Martinelli up front as well as Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock.

Emile Smith-Rowe began the game in Germany but is ruled out tonight, along with Alexandre Lacazette.

In amongst the youngsters, two senior players in great need of finding their form are Mesut Ozil and Nicolas Pepe.

Both could start at Emirates Stadium after the German playmaker didn't even make the bench for Monday's draw with Manchester United.

Meanwhile Pepe could continue in his bid to score his first Arsenal goal from open play, allowing teen sensation Bukayo Saka a rest.

While there is an argument for keeping playing the 18-year-old after his assist at Old Trafford, Emery may prefer to have him in reserve ahead of the weekend match against Bournemouth.



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