Arsenal may have dropped a huge team news hint days before their clash against FC Zurich in the Europa League group stages at the Emirates Stadium. It's set to be a key clash for the Gunners as their progression in the tournament will depend on the result as well as the other game in the group.
Arsenal have already secured a place in the competition, however a change to the rules means that second place have to face an extra game against one of the sides that drops from the Champions League. It puts extra emphasis on finishing first in the group, something that Mikel Arteta acknowledged when discussing his side's fixtures.
"For sure it is important [this season] because we have never played this many games after the World Cup," the manager said on the importance of finishing top of the group. "Any games you can skip it's a big bonus. We have discussed that. For two reasons. One because you skip two matches and also because you miss some of the top teams."
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The Gunners could have secured top spot by avoiding defeat to PSV Eindhoven last time out, but they were unable to do so and now have to match their result on Thursday. While the clash against FC Zurich brings that added pressure, the potential absence of star winger Bukayo Saka could also be a huge blow.
The England international limped off in Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest, with the extent of his injury and a possible return date still unknown. Should he be unavailable on Thursday, Arteta has to pick a replacement in the side, with a few candidates up for discussion.
Gabriel Jesus is an option out wide, allowing Eddie Nketiah to return to the starting line-up as a central striker. So too is Reiss Nelson, who came off the bench against Forest to score a brace, impressing in one of his first opportunities since returning to the club from being on loan at Feyenoord.
Then there's Brazilian youngster Marquinhos, who has featured in Europe this campaign, but is still developing to become a first-team option. While he remains a possibility for the clash, the winger has started for the Arsenal under-21s in their match against Crystal Palace.
While it doesn't rule him out from the clash entirely, it could show that Arteta has made his mind up over a starting place for the youngster - or lack of one - against their Swiss opponents.
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