Arsenal are now just a few hours away from returning to Europa League action as they take on Sporting CP in the last-16 first leg. For one of the first times in the 2022/23 season, predicting Mikel Arteta's starting XI for the clash feels virtually impossible such is the competition for places now in the Gunners squad.
Some mainstays in the first-team squad have let performances dip slightly, most notably Granit Xhaka, who has struggled to match his impact in the final third pre-World Cup in recent months. Fringe players such as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe have also seen limited minutes with injuries and the form of others affecting their campaigns.
Both Smith Rowe and Tomiyasu were unable to offer Arteta a valid reason to change his main starting XI against Bournemouth, but Reiss Nelson certainly made a case. Coming on with 20 minutes to go, Nelson set up White for the equaliser and then scored a dramatic late winner to seal a vital three points in the Premier League title race.
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A third game in eight days means squad rotation is certainly on the cards and Arteta could set his team up in Portugal in a number of different ways. Ahead of the first leg, football.london takes a look at four different ways that Arteta could set his team up this evening.
Complete reshuffle
Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the league. The Gunners have a serious chance of winning the title for the first time since 2003. Several first-team regulars are pivotal to Arteta's methods and therefore, although he may not admit it, the Europa League could be seen as a distraction.
Therefore, the Spaniard could use the fixture to build up the minutes of players returning from injuries and also give game time to stars who could be needed off the bench for the Premier League run-in.
Potential XI: Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Kiwior, Tierney; Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka; Nelson, Martinelli, Smith Rowe
Keep the spine
Alternatively, Arteta could opt to make some changes throughout the team but keep certain first-team stars in the starting XI to ensure there is some assurance in the lineup.
For example, keeping the spine of the team intact would be key to ensuring Sporting are offered limited joy going forward and then there is always the option to bring on influential attackers as the game develops.
Potential XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Vieira, Xhaka; Nelson, Martinelli, Smith Rowe.
Go strong
In the eyes of most, Arsenal are favourites to win the Europa League. Despite being five points clear at the top of the Premier League, many still believe Manchester City will win the title.
Arteta could therefore seize the opportunity to try win a major trophy and name the strongest possible lineup he can, assuming Eddie Nketiah is passed fit.
Potential XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Go strong... but with Jesus
This decision would certainly catch many off guard. Players returning from injury are usually eased back into action with several substitute appearances coming before a start.
However, Arsenal have clearly been very careful managing the return of Jesus and the Brazil international looked sharp in first-team training on Wednesday and could therefore start, with a half time withdrawal likely.
Potential XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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