Mikel Arteta will make changes to his Arsenal side for Sunday's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
Some are enforced from the team that started the Europa League round of 16 penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Sporting CP, whilst others are expected as the Gunners look to take advantage of Manchester City being in FA Cup action later today and move eight points clear at the top of the table.
One alteration comes in defence as after lasting just nine minutes against the Portuguese outfit, Takehiro Tomiyasu misses out for Arsenal and it's likely that Benjamin White is handed an immediate recall at right-back. Meanwhile, Rob Holding and possibly £21m January signing Jakub Kiwior are on standby as William Saliba is a doubt.
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So as Arteta contemplates his defensive options for the London derby against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, football.london has taken a look at what other changes the Spanish tactician could be taking under consideration for the final fixture before the season pauses for the international break.
Saka, Odegaard and Arsenal stars return
When it comes to a Premier League fixture, it's become easy to predict the Arsenal team. With that said, one would expect Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka to be restored to the starting line-up - alongside White - after being named on the bench on Thursday night.
Furthermore, depending on Saliba's fitness and whoever is selected to lead the line, for the first time since before the World Cup, Arteta could be in a position to name what many consider to be his strongest XI.
Trossard over Jesus
Gabriel Jesus is back. The Brazilian returned to action after three months out as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Fulham last week before starting the Europa League tie against Sporting CP where he was withdrawn at half-time in a pre-planned change by Arteta and his coaching staff.
"Yeah. We decided to do that because we had to manage the subs," the Spaniard revealed in the post-match press conference. "Thank God we did take him out, especially after the two windows that we had to use in the first half. That was the plan. Leo is coming from an injury as well and we knew the game could go to extra time and we had to manage that. He looked OK."
It remains to be seen if Jesus is able to handle two starts in three days having spent so long on the sidelines and it could be that he is named amongst the substitutes again with Leandro Trossard - fresh off claiming three assists at Craven Cottage - assigned the centre-forward role.
Youngster misses out
As per Europa League matchday rules, Arteta was able to name a 22-man squad for the round of 16 second leg against Sporting CP. But that number drops to 20 for a Premier League fixture so therefore the Spaniard must make a decision on which two players he must leave out.
In truth, that decision has effectively been made already with Tomiyasu unavailable and youngster James Hillson to join the Japan international in not being involved against Crystal Palace, particularly if Aaron Ramsdale and Matt Turner are fit to play, as it's unusual for two goalkeepers to be named on the bench for a Premier League match.
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