Arsenal are back in Europa League action on Thursday night as they host FK Bodo/Glimt in their second Group A fixture.
This was supposed to be the Gunners' third game on their return to the European stage following a season without it, but last month's meeting with PSV Eindhoven was postponed "due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II".
Therefore it's been nearly a month since Arsenal's 2-1 win over FC Zurich on matchday one and they'll be eager to follow that result up with another win and take a big step towards winning the group - which would see them avoid two extra games in the knockout round early next year.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta's challenge for 'special' Reiss Nelson as Arsenal injury blow sets up opportunity
In terms of team news, Arteta has to deal with the fact that he won't have a fully fit first-team squad available for selection with Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe all confirmed absentees. Although, the good news is that Cedric Soares has returned to full fitness earlier than expected.
But with Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool potentially providing a distraction, the Gunners manager has a big decision to make with regards to squad rotation as there is an incentive to resist temptation and name a strong side to ensure victory is clinched to take control of Group A.
To ease any team selection dilemmas, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Bailey Keogh and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne have offered Arteta some assistance by providing their say on who should start for the home side against Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates Stadium.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
With Liverpool on the horizon I would look to ring the changes if I were Mikel Arteta. I know Bodo have had some decent results in Europe, but at home Arsenal have to be confident that their squad players can get the job done.
That means Matt Turner is in goal for me and in front of him I'd change that whole back four. Cedric's timely return to fitness means he can play at right back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu switching to his national team position of left centre back alongside Rob Holding, with Kieran Tierney at left back.
These are the exact type of games where I feel Albert Sambi Lokonga should be getting a run out in the six position to build up his experience so he comes in for Thomas Partey there, while Fabio Vieira gets another run out in place of Martin Odegaard. The machine that is Granit Xhaka is the only player I'd keep from the Spurs win.
Up front Eddie Nketiah is an obvious pick, while Marquinhos deserves a chance to impress in front of the Emirates crowd after how well he did in Zurich. Over on the left Reiss Nelson is back fit so I'd look to start him in this game. With Emile Smith Rowe out, this feels like his final chance to truly stake a claim for a place in the Arsenal squad.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Bodo/Glimt: Turner; Cedric, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Sambi Lokonga, Xhaka, Vieira; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson.
Bailey Keogh - The Arsenal Way Writer
The Europa League provides an excellent opportunity for Arteta’s fringe players to get an opportunity. It is for this reason that it is necessary for the Spaniard to rotate the team.
All five of the defenders should be changed from the North London Derby. With Mohammed Salah set to feature on the right-hand side it would have been ideal to rest Kieran Tierney but after Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence from training on Wednesday afternoon the Scotsman must still be included.
Granit Xhaka or Thomas Partey are required to start this match due to the injury suffered to Mohammed Elneny, and due to Xhaka’s durability, he should be the player to start alongside Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
On the attacking side, Reiss Nelson must play on the left-wing to cover for the injured Emile Smith Rowe. Marquinhos’ excellent performance in the last Europa League encounter merits him another opportunity to start against FK Bodo/Glimt.
Keogh's Arsenal XI vs Bodo/Glimt: Turner; Cedric, Tomiyasu, Holding, Tierney; Sambi Lokonga, Xhaka, Vieira; Nelson, Marquinhos, Nketiah
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
For me, it has to be a balancing act for Mikel Arteta in terms of rotating his squad as Bodo have shown in the past that they shouldn't be taken lightly. Given Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey's recent fitness issues, there's no need to risk either one with the Liverpool game in mind.
In Kieran Tierney and Albert Sambi Lokonga, Arsenal have two more than capable replacements at left-back and at the base of midfield respectively. However, even with Cedric's return to fitness, I would opt for him to come on for Ben White at some point in the second half as he still might be short of match sharpness.
The same applies to Reiss Nelson even though he's been in full training since before the international break, so erring on the side of caution I would look to ease him back into the fold - although that means another run-out for Gabriel Martinelli on the left-wing.
Now, the one Arsenal player I would rest is Granit Xhaka. The Switzerland international has been ever-present for club and country so far this season, but not even he can cope with the demands of this hectic fixture list. With midfield options a little light, Fabio Vieira gets another start, but this time alongside Martin Odegaard.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Bodo/Glimt: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Tomiyasu, Tierney; Lokonga, Odegaard, Vieira; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Martinelli
Who gets into your starting XI? Use our team selector below and leave a comment to have your say.
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saka's Arsenal contract, Saliba's future and Nelson's chance
Thierry Henry tells Arsenal fans when they can get excited about Premier League title chances
Antonio Conte explains why Arsenal and Edu were right to snub Djed Spence after training concern
Mikel Arteta to experiment with Arsenal signing as Granit Xhaka replacement in Europa League tie
Thierry Henry has told Mikel Arteta why Arsenal must intercept Chelsea's £56m bargain transfer
