Arsenal have another chance to clinch top spot in their Europa League group as they welcome FC Zurich to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were 45 minutes away from achieving this feat against PSV Eindhoven last week as they just needed to avoid defeat. Unfortunately, a below-par second half performance saw them concede twice without reply which means there's still work to do on matchday six.
With the way Group A is set up, the north London outfit require a win over Zurich to secure their place in the round of 16. But as they are back in action around 64 hours later against Chelsea in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta has a major team selection dilemma on his hands.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal vs FC Zurich, Saka injury, Barcelona links and Chelsea
Such is the importance of topping the group and avoiding a Europa League knockout round play-off against the likes of Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen or Sevilla in the new year, the Spaniard might opt to name a strong team to ensure the job gets done. Although, that could be a risky strategy as there won't be much recovery time before heading to Stamford Bridge.
Thankfully for Arteta, football.london's Arsenal writers Tom Canton, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne and Bailey Keogh, are on hand to offer their assistance. Below, they take a look at who they think should be starting for the home side in Thursday night's clash against FC Zurich.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
An awkward game is how I would best describe this one. Mikel Arteta needs to find a balance between a side who can get a win and top the group, whilst managing the fitness of the team ahead of Chelsea, who by contrast have had a meaningless final Champions League group stage game to Graham Potter’s delight.
The defence can harbour some more change with Cedric Soares a strong enough option at home to rest Ben White at right back. Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney will of course start here with Takehiro Tomiyasu returning for another ‘Big Six’ job at left-back on Sunday.
With Elneny having trained for a couple weeks and Arteta admitting he has recovered well; this could be a great game to start him and then push Albert Sambi Lokonga forward into his more natural position. Fabio Vieira then coming in ahead to supply the front line.
I would indeed start Gabriel Jesus and give him the chance to get a goal against a favourable opponent to boost confidence ahead of the weekend, with Eddie Nketiah and the free-scoring Reiss Nelson to be the players providing further attacking verve.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs FC Zurich: Ramsdale; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira; Nelson, Nketiah, Jesus
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
Arsenal shouldn't have any problems with FC Zurich and with a 12pm kick-off against Chelsea on Sunday in mind, if I was in Mikel Arteta's shoes, I'd be looking to rest the likes of Ben White, William Saliba, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka.
As Gabriel Magalhaes has been a regular during the group phase, I'd have no issue with him continuing alongside Rob Holding in central defence, whilst I would also start Gabriel Martinelli on the left-wing and hopefully he can grab a goal or two in the first-half and earn a rest after the break.
Cedric made his first competitive appearance this season as a substitute last weekend so can be upgraded to a starter. Mohamed Elneny returned to training before the Forest game and might have 45 minutes in him which means Albert Sambi Lokonga can move into the number eight role.
If Matt Turner isn't ready to return in between the sticks, I'd hand a debut to Karl Hein as he's impressed for Estonia at international level over the past year and a first Arsenal start would be a nice reward and also a good test to see if he can cope with the pressure of playing for a huge club.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs FC Zurich: Hein; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Vieira, Lokonga; Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli
Bailey Keogh - Arsenal Writer
Despite the Europa League tie being a crucial fixture I’d still like to see a rotated squad ahead of the match against Chelsea on Sunday. This means wholesale changes to the defence with Cedric coming into replace White at right-back, and Rob Holding coming in for William Saliba. Gabriel Magalhaes should maintain his place, but Kieran Tierney should start at left-back ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Granit Xhaka’s suspension means that Fabio Vieira and Martin Odegaard should start on either side of Albert Sambi Lokonga in the midfield. Thomas Partey must be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Chelsea fixture so he must not be risked.
Despite uncertainties surrounding Eddie Nketiah’s European form, I’d still keep him in the starting line-up as he needs game time to be an impactful sub when it comes to the Premier League on the weekend. Following Bukayo Saka’s knock he suffered against Nottingham Forest, he must rest meaning Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli should start on the wings.
Keogh's Arsenal XI vs FC Zurich: Ramsdale; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Sambi Lokonga, Vieira; Nelson, Martinelli; Nketiah
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