Arsenal travel to Portman Road to take on relegation-threatened Ipswich Town as they could feature with a changed lineup on Sunday.
Arsenal take on relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday, and Mikel Arteta would like to strengthen his team’s hold on the second place. Newcastle United’s loss to Aston Villa does give them a chance to open a big gap over the Magpies, and the Gunners will be riding on the momentum after their victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked about some of the midfield tweaks he might make in the absence of Thomas Partey for the first leg of their semi-finals against PSG. The Gunners boss also provided injury updates on Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho.
Calafiori has been missing since the most recent international break after sustaining another knee injury while playing for Italy. Jorginho had to come off last weekend in the latter stages of their game against Brentford after sustaining what looked like a chest injury. Arteta insisted neither of those were available for the weekend, although hinted the Italian could return before the PSG clash.
Arteta said, “Jorginho is not going to be available yet, he’s still struggling with that incident. And Riccardo as well probably is not going to be available.”
On Calafiori, he continued, “If everything goes well, I think so. Maybe a little bit earlier, so let’s see. He’s on the pitch already, he’s done quite a lot of stuff and we just need to make the right steps now to make sure that when he’s back he’s in a good place to perform.”
Meanwhile, Arteta also knocked back the idea that Kai Havertz might return for the Champions League semifinal. He said, “Semi-finals? I think that’s too close. But if I have to bet on him earlier than expected, I would say yes. The way he works every day in that gym, pushing everybody, I don’t think you can hold him much longer.”
While Arsenal take on Ipswich Town on Sunday, Arteta was pressed on his ideas on how he would now shape his midfield for the Champions League semifinals keeping in mind that Partey will be suspended for the first leg.
He said, “As always, a balance. Understanding what the priorities are. The priority is one or is it another? And then as well, making sure that players are comfortable and feeling the position that they have to play such a big match. But as I said, the priority now is to win games in the Premier League.”
Continuing on that subject, Arteta was asked whether Myles Lewis-Skelly would be a good fit for a midfield role, to which he responded, “It would be down to the availability of players in that moment. So who is available, who is able as well to do that. For how long in-game, because that’s where we had players that they could not play 90 minutes. So once we are closer to that game, we can decide.”
In terms of team selection for Ipswich Town, Arteta is widely expected to make changes in many areas while keeping some personnel in their respective positions. For instance, the central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior will continue, but Ben White and Kieran Tierney are expected to replace Jurrien Timber and Lewis-Skelly in the full-back roles.
Declan Rice could be moved into the base of the midfield to begin preparations for the semi-final first leg, and Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko could feature on either side. Mikel Merino could be an option there, but Arteta will choose to rest the Spaniard rather than overworking him for now.
In the attacking third, Arteta is expected to name an altogether different front three to protect his main attackers like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri could start on the wings, with Leandro Trossard leading the line.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Odegaard, Rice, Zinchenko; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling
