As Arsenal find themselves riding high in the Premier League, the Europa League presents a decent chance for the second string to try and get in on the action. Sunday's 3-2 victory over Liverpool was an exhausting endeavour, and ahead of a potentially gruelling clash with Leeds, Mikel Arteta will surely want to rest his key players.
That starts in goal where Matt Turner will be looking to prove some doubters wrong. There was a collective sigh of relief when Aaron Ramsdale recovered from an early injury setback on Sunday, but the American will be keen to prove that he can be relied upon when necessary.
It's a similar position where Kieran Tierney will likely feel he has a point to prove after being overlooked in favour of Takehiro Tomiyasu at left back, despite Oleksandr Zinchenko's injury against Liverpool. It's likely the pair will both start this one as Arteta seeks to take advantage of Tomiyasu's versatility. With the Japan international's injury record don't expect him to stay out for the full 90 though, with Gabriel a likely candidate to share the game with him in Norway.
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On the right side of defence, Cedric has a point to prove as well after failing to get his first minutes of the season during last week's match. The 31-year-old is fully fit and will be hoping to show Arteta that he can be a viable first team option alongside Rob Holding.
In midfield, Albert Sambi Lokonga will get more miles on the clock in the No. 6 position that should help him to garner the familiarity that he needs to hopefully play it in the first team one day. Fabio Vieira will also want to replicate his fine performance from last week's clash with Bodo, where he managed a goal and an assist.
Perhaps the highest profile player to start the match could well be Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian faced the press back in his home country on Wednesday which is usually a sign that the player will be starting the next day, but nothing can truly be certain. What we can say is that Granit Xhaka probably needs a rest after starting every game this season, so this game could be the perfect opportunity to provide him with it.
Marquinhos will get another chance on the right wing after a difficult Emirates Stadium debut last week. Opposite him should be Reiss Nelson who looked decent in his late cameo in the reverse fixture and certainly has the support of the Arsenal fan base en masse, who will be keen to see him succeed.
Up front, Eddie Nketiah has the starting spot yet again in the Europa League. football.london understands Arsenal are confident that Gabriel Jesus should be fit for Leeds as he is rested for this game, but if there's ever a chance to plant a seed of doubt in Arteta's mind for Nketiah, this will be it.
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