With the Premier League title race effectively done and dusted, it will be interesting to see what team Mikel Arteta picks as Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in their penultimate fixture of the season.
On one hand, the Gunners manager has every reason to go as strong as possible even if his side is guaranteed to finish no lower than second regardless of the result at the City Ground. Victory for the visitors means Manchester City have to beat Chelsea on Sunday afternoon to be crowned champions and anything less keeps the race alive, albeit for a few more days.
However, the fact City need one win from their final three games to retain the Premier League trophy means a mini miracle is required for it not to happen and therefore with the somewhat pressure off Arsenal, Arteta could perhaps look to experiment with his team selection.
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Having said that, the Spaniard won't be able to call upon Oleksandr Zinchenko or Gabriel Martinelli who have been ruled out of the rest of the season through injury, and the latter's absence means there will be at least one change to the side that started the 3-0 loss at home to Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
Although, after a disappointing showing against the Seagulls, could this cause the Gunners boss to freshen things up? Well, for the penultimate time this season, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tom Canton and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne are on hand to offer their assistance. Below, they name their respective starting line-ups for the away side against Nottingham Forest.
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal Writer
After his new contract, I would of course look to reward Aaron Ramsdale with a start at the City Ground. The back four in front of him is kind of straight forward given the injuries too. Ben White has to start at right back, while Kieran Tierney needs to play with Oleksandr Zinchenko officially out for the season. Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel would be my picks meanwhile in the middle.
In midfield, I'd look to bring Thomas Partey back into the fold for this one. Jorginho didn't do an awful lot wrong against Brighton, but I'd want to mix it up. I'd also consider giving Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira some minutes ahead of him. I think Granit Xhaka deserves a send-off at the Emirates Stadium next week, while Martin Odegaard deserves the ovation of his home fans. Why not give those two a chance to prove their worth in a competitive match with relatively little riding on it?
The injury to Gabriel Martinelli means that Leandro Trossard has to start on the left, while Gabriel Jesus is an obvious call up top. However, I think I'd give Reiss Nelson a go on the right. He deserves a chance with his impressive form off the bench recently, and Bukayo Saka has looked tired.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Smith Rowe, Vieira; Nelson, Jesus, Trossard
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
It’s time for change and it might be too late. Arsenal know that the title is so far out of their hands that a miracle is required to have a chance at still lifting that fabled trophy come the end of the Premier League season. Despite that, it’s very unlikely that Mikel Arteta will begin to use the fringe players and those that are in need of minutes.
However, that doesn’t mean some rotation shouldn’t take place and with Gabriel Martinelli injured a decision needs to be made. Leandro Trossard would seem the obvious pick but I’d like to see Reiss Nelson take to the field from the start. The substitute has been fantastic and the most impactful of all of Arteta’s changes in recent games whilst contract talks are ongoing.
Trossard does however get a start and this time it is for Gabriel Jesus. After a few difficult games it is perhaps time to bring the Belgian back into the centre-forward role where he thrived for so long when the form of the club was still headed toward a title.
Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior keep their places as does Jorginho to avoid starting the out-of-form Thomas Partey. Granit Xhaka meanwhile is perhaps embarking on his final two games as an Arsenal player and will hope to end the season strongly.
Canton's Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nelson, Trossard
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
It's a bit of a tricky one because what message would Mikel Arteta be sending out if he names a rather weakened team against Nottingham Forest knowing mathematically the Premier League title race isn't over? However, regardless of what happens on Saturday, realistically any hope of being crowned champions ended last weekend.
And whilst I think it's important Arsenal get a win over Forest and Wolves just so the points difference at the end of the season is a fairer representation of the title race, I'd still look to freshen things up where possible at the City Ground. Of course, there's not much Arteta can do in defence so Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney retain their places.
Midfield is where the Gunners manager has a few decisions to make but I'd stick with Jorginho as Thomas Partey wasn't great when he came on last week against Brighton. In fact, the only change I would make is Emile Smith Rowe for Granit Xhaka to see if this can be a long-term solution.
Out of Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson, I think the latter caught the eye much more against Brighton and therefore should be rewarded with a start on the left-hand side of the attack as Gabriel Martinelli's replacement alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Nottingham Forest: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Saka, G. Jesus, Nelson
Who gets into your starting XI? Use our team selector below and leave a comment to have your say.
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