Arsenal could rotate the pack for their trip to Girona despite Mikel Arteta seeking a big win to keep hold of their current spot.
Arsenal travel to Spain to take on Girona for their final UEFA Champions League league phase game with the Gunners sitting in third on the table. Mikel Arteta will want another win in the bag to guarantee a finish in their current position at the very least, and despite that, he might rotate his pack with one eye on the Manchester City clash at the weekend.
During his pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked about the Girona game as well as his take on the Myles Lewis-Skelly red card overturned by the FA. There were also questions about resting some of his players, like Kai Havertz, among other things.
Starting with the Lewis-Skelly situation, the direct red card he recieved against Wolves at the weekend has caused a big topic for debate in the media and among fans. With the PGMOL backing Michael Oliver’s decision on the sending-off, Arsenal had to file an appeal to get the red card rescinded, meaning the teenager will not be available for the Manchester City game and beyond.
Arsenal did get the suspension overturned, and Arteta was asked about the decision ahead of the Girona. He said, “We’re very happy that decision has been made and Myles is going to be able to play for us again in the next three games.”
He was also asked about some of his players, namely Kai Havertz, deserving a rest of sorts after playing a huge number of games in recent days. The lack of a recognised striker beyond the German has put the load on the forward.
Arteta said, “We have a lot of players with a lot of load, he’s not an exception, but his work rate and his desire [are great]. The way he trained today, it’s as if he wants to play tomorrow and some players when they are in the rhythm, they want to continue to do that because they feel better.”
In terms of team news, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino resumed training after missing the Wolves clash with an illness and a knock, respectively. The duo are pencilled in for starts in the Arsenal midfield, although Arteta could ponder shuffling his pack for this one, given they play Manchester City at the weekend.
As part of the changes, he could use Riccardo Calafiori at the heart of the defence and allow Gabriel Magalhaes a rest before the weekend. Myles Lewis-Skelly could continue at left-back, and now that he is in contention for the weekend, Arteta might manage his minutes in this clash. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba will complete the backline.
Merino and Odegaard are likely to start, with Jorginho set to sit at the base of the Arsenal midfield. Thomas Partey and Declan Rice could be bench options to close down the game in the latter stages. Similarly, in the attack, Arteta might use Leandro Trossard in a false nine role in place of Havertz, while Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling could start on the flanks.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Jorginho, Merino; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling
