Former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas has predicted that Bukayo Saka will start Thursday evening's Europa League match against Standard Liege at Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Liège).

Although the Gunners have yet to publish their travel roster, it is confirmed that midfielder James Olayinka and Saka boarded the plane to Belgium on Wednesday afternoon after taking part in the morning workout.

Freddie Ljungberg's side are in the midst of an injury crisis, with as many as five first-team players including Hector Bellerin, Dani Ceballos, Rob Holding, Nicolas Pepe and Kieran Tierney not available for selection due to injury, while defender Shkodran Mustafi is suspended as a result of accumulated bookings.

Writing on his Europa League predictions column, Sky Sports pundit Nicholas said : ''I don't see many things transforming on the pitch. I think Freddie Ljungberg will make more changes and they will go to Belgium more upbeat, but I imagine Alexandre Lacazette will start.

''Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson will start most likely too, but I am not sure what he will pick defensively.''

While Saka has made four starts for the Gunners in the Europa League since debuting against Vorskla Poltava in November 2018, Olayinka hopes to make his professional debut against Standard Liege this evening.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com