Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Manchester United gives Mikel Arteta a chance to shuffle his pack, but Tuesday night’s defeat at Newcastle means a win is important ahead of the north London derby.
Arsenal‘this team has been hampered by illness and injury in recent weeks, although Arteta went as hard as he could for the first leg Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle. The xG numbers suggested the Magpies’ dominance, but their poor performance in both boxes meant their 2-0 defeat was justified.
Arteta they will be keen to lift spirits ahead of next Wednesday’s derby, with the atmosphere inside the Emirates beginning to suffer due to Arsenal’s monotony on the pitch.
Arsenal are without four players this weekend and here is the squad the Gunners boss could pick to host United in the FA Cup third round.
GK: Net – Tied in the Carabao Cup and in David Raya’s shadow Premier League trips, we have yet to see Neto in Arsenal colours. That could change on Sunday.
RB: Jurrien Timber – The Timbers were on the scoresheet in December’s clash with United and will look to dampen the threat provided by Diogo Dalot after Trent Alexander-Arnold made him look like a superstar last weekend.
CB: William Saliba – There is little room for rest for Saliba, who Arteta has used mercilessly this term.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – If Kiwior does make the team, Arteta will make sure Saliba holds his hand. The Pole is struggling.
LB: Riccardo Calafiori – The Italian’s minutes are managed by Arteta and he was not involved at all against Newcastle on Tuesday night. Calafiori should get support here, but it will be interesting to see who plays at left-back in the derby.
CM: Jorginho – The experienced midfielder has entered the final few months of his Arsenal career and starts will be very rare before the summer. Jorginho has been off his pace in recent outings, but the coveted No.6 options could be saved for next Wednesday.
CM: Mikel Merino – Another summer arrival who didn’t feature in the midweek fray, Merino started last weekend against Brighton and is a strong contender to come in for Declan Rice.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Odegaard has been out of form since Bukayo Saka succumbed to injury and there is no doubt that Arsenal are looking for more from their creative talisman.
RW: Raheem Sterling – Sterling he returned to the bench in midweek after recovering from a knee injury and this is a good opportunity for Arteta to experiment with another alternative to Saka.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Kai Havertz somehow managed 90 minutes last weekend after missing the Brentford and Brighton games through illness, but he doesn’t need to start here with Jesus available.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal’s wide left options have struggled this term and fans would suggest that Arteta is just choosing the lesser of two evils by selecting Martinelli over Leandro Trossard.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP
