Arsenal vs. Eintracht Frankfurt: Europa League - Team News - Rob Holding Returns!

Last week ahead of the trip to Watford, Arsenal got the unfortunate news that Alexandre Lacazette had been ruled out due to an ankle issue. While the French striker will be on the sidelines for a bit, Arsenal fans were given some good news ahead of the team’s trip to Germany. Center back Rob Holding has officially been removed from the injury list.

Holding played the full 90 minutes once again for the U23s as the beat Leicester City U23s 2-1 this past Saturday. Now seemingly ready for a return for the senior side, expect to see Holding’s name in the 18 for Thursday’s Europa League tie. Now to the players still working their way back to full fitness.

• Alex Lacazette - Rehabilitating his left ankle. Expected to be out until October. Given the next international break is after Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth on October 6th, Lacazette’s return may not be until 10/24 at Sheffield United.
• Dinos Mavropanos - Dino got his first minutes of the year this past Saturday, starting for the U23s and going until the 67th. Like Rob Holding, expect a few more appearances with the U23s as he works back into the first team. But if this weekend goes well, Mavropanos may be able to be available for selection in time for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest next week.
• Hector Bellerin & Kieran Tierney - The future starting fullback pair is back in full training with the senior side and look close to a return to action. Hopefully both are back by the next international break in early October, if not sooner.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Arsenal’s opening day opponent for the 2019/20 Europa League has gotten off to a fair start, but lost their last match 2-1 to Augsburg. Currently ninth in the Bundesliga table, Eintracht will be without Marco Russ (defender), Jonathan De Guzman (midfielder), Mijat Gacinovic (midfielder) due to injuries. Eintracht’s manager also noted during his press conference that midfielder Sebastian Rode is a doubt.

Eintracht has been playing in this year’s edition of the Europa League since late July. They’ve seen off Flora from Estonia 4-2 on aggregate, then Vaduz from Liechtenstein 6-0 on aggregate, and finally the French side Strasbourg 3-1 on aggregate to reach the group stage. Arsenal’s opponents will be in form for the Gunners visit and as noted in yesterday’s Q&A with the Hey Eintracht Frankfurt Podcast, the crowd should be electric.