Arsenal face their toughest test in the Europa League this Thursday as they play PSV in the fourth round of fixtures for Group A. The match is the only match in the competition going ahead after the clash was rescheduled due to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Should Arsenal win, they will go five points clear at the top and know one win from the final two games will secure the top spot. This is key because finishing second in the group requires a team to play an effective play-off round against a Champions League dropout in a Round of 32.
Whilst Mikel Arteta has heavily rotated for teams so far throughout this European campaign, that could change significantly with the visit of PSV. The likes of Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons present Mikel Arteta’s side with a much sterner test, having scored 17 goals in their last four games.
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With all that in mind, it is imperative that the Spaniard does not underestimate the challenge but, at the same time, balances his side's fitness with the match with Southampton on the horizon. Finding that balance will in itself be a huge task.
Thankfully for Arteta, football. london's Arsenal writers, Kaya Kaynak, Tom Canton and Bailey Keogh, are on hand to offer their assistance. Below they take a look at who they would decide to start for the Gunners this Thursday evening.
Kaya Kaynak
I would again look to ring the changes for this week's Europa League clash. I get that PSV are probably the toughest opponent in the group, but why risk any injuries to big players ahead of this weekend.
Turner comes in in goal for me, while I'd definitely give Cedric Soares his first minutes after Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White both looked absolutely knackered at Leeds, which means Kieran Tierney is in at left-back. Inside of them, I'd pair Rob Holding and Gabriel.
In midfield, it's Albert Sambi Lokonga, while I'd be tempted to throw in a younger player like Matt Smith ahead of him, with Fabio Vieira in a midfield trio.
No way would I risk Martinelli if he's not fully fit on the left, so Reiss Nelson plays again for me. On the right, I wouldn't go for Bukayo Saka again as he needs a rest, so I'd risk Marquinhos. Up front, Eddie Nketiah is an obvious pick.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs PSV - Turner; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Smith, Vieira; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson.
Tom Canton
This is a very difficult game. Whilst I would love for the Gunners to go in and be able to swat PSV aside with relative ease using a heavily changed side, I simply don't think that is possible.
Furthermore, winning this home match is very pivotal to our chances of finishing top of the group. Win this, and the final group game against FC Zurich at the Emirates and whatever happens in Eindhoven is meaningless.
So, Mikel Arteta should go strong. Some changes are certainly fair, taking Gabriel Magalhaes out of the firing line being a key one for sure, but the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka, I believe to be required to beat this Eredivisie giant.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs PSV: Turner; White; Saliba; Tomiyasu; Tierney; Partey; Xhaka; Vieira; Saka; Jesus; Nketiah
Bailey Keogh
Rob Holding needs to be the only defensive change from Sunday's match at Elland road. Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu should keep their place in the team, meanwhile, William Saliba had started the previous European fixture, so he and Gabriel should continue to take it in turns to play on Thursday.
There is no need to risk Thomas Partey with his injury issues, and Martin Odegaard can be rested, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira coming in to replace the midfielders. Granit Xhaka should be the only remaining starting midfielder who played at Leeds.
With Bukayo Saka starting the last European match on the wing, he should keep his place in the side, especially as it emerged that Martinelli had missed the final training session before the match. And, as always, Eddie Nketiah should keep his place in the Europa League side, which leaves Gabriel Jesus on the bench.
Keogh’s XI vs PSV: - Turner, White, Holding, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Xhaka, Sambi Lokonga, Vieira, Saka, Marquinhos, Nketiah
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