A regular feature of Arsenal's 2022/23 campaign has been Mikel Arteta's reluctance to rotate as he relied on a core group of players in the Premier League title race.
However, the way things have unfolded over the past month, all signs are pointing towards a few changes in the coming months especially with the Spaniard expected to get a lot of business done in the summer transfer window.
Now, after splashing out £120million to sign Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer and then a further £56m in January, the question on many Gunners supporters' minds was could any of the eight force their way into the Spaniard's core group of undroppables at some point in the campaign?
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In truth, it was always going to be difficult for every single signing to come in and make an immediate impact, especially when taking into consideration that Arteta's pretty much named his strongest starting XI week-in, week-out when every player was fit and available.
Effectively, Arsenal's best team was with Aaron Ramsdale in goal behind a defence of Benjamin White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Zinchenko with a midfield three of Thomas Partey, captain Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka and the attack consisting of Bukayo Saka, Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
Of those 11 players, there's an argument that Ramsdale will still be a part of this core group next season, as will Saliba given his absence has only furthered his importance to the team. Meanwhile, Arteta's preference for a left-footer playing as the left-sided defender to bring balance in central defence is good news for Gabriel.
Furthermore, Zinchenko and Martinelli have every chance of keeping their spots, one can only imagine the same applies to Odegaard given he wears the armband and despite a dip in form during the run-in, Saka is likely to start more often than not once his new contract is signed.
If this is the case, it leaves four spots up for grabs and football.london takes a look at those particular positions and which players are in the running to change the Spaniard's mind.
Right-back
This is where things get a little interesting. Ben White has been a revelation at right-back this season, but admittedly he has struggled at times with games against Manchester United, Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion immediately springing to mind. In addition, there has been talk of a new right-back being signed this summer.
Should Arsenal do some business in this department amid links to Joao Cancelo and Mohamed Simakan, then it could mean that White shares right-back duty with a potential new signing and it's also worth pointing out that he could fill in for Saliba as the right-sided centre-back.
There's also Takehiro Tomiyasu to factor in, although a lot depends on the Japan international's availability as this season was disrupted with a number of niggles before it was brought to an end in March as a result of underdoing knee surgery that could keep him sidelined for longer than initially expected.
Central midfield
Granit Xhaka has always been regarded as an automatic starter under Arteta and he certainly earned his stripes having arguably been the Gunners' standout player in their ascent to the top of the Premier League table. However, football.london understands he is in advanced talks over a £13m to Bayer Leverkusen this summer and therefore will have to be replaced.
Declan Rice is an obvious option to take over as football.london understands he is Arsenal's priority signing when the transfer window opens and with a £92m price-tag being touted, it's hard to imagine the England international not starting most weeks if he does complete a move.
Meanwhile, Partey has gone from being regarded as Arsenal's most important midfielder to being overlooked in key games against Chelsea and Newcastle United to being used as an experiment at right-back in the 1-0 loss away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
That's not to say he can't regain his status as one of the first names on the teamsheet, but if Rice and Moises Caicedo, for example, both arrive at the Emirates Stadium this summer then it could be a case of the Ghana international having to settle for being a squad rotation option.
Centre-forward
Not too long after signing from Manchester City, it became clear that Gabriel Jesus was assured of a place in the Arsenal starting XI regardless of the formation and that's continued to be the case after returning from a knee injury sustained at the World Cup that sidelined him for three months.
Despite netting 10 Premier League goals so far, whether the Gunners can go to the next level with the Brazilian as the main centre-forward is a debate being had amongst some fans. Now, there’s no indication that Arteta is on the market for a new striker, but if one does arrive this summer then Jesus may no longer be an automatic starter.
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