Bar the defeat against Manchester United at the weekend, it's been a perfect start to the Gunners' season. However, even tougher challenges await, with the strength of Mikel Arteta's side to be tested as the fixture schedule intensifies.
Following a short and unexpected absence, Arsenal will return to the European stage when they kickstart their Europa League campaign away to FC Zurich on Thursday. The match is the first of four games the club will play in just twelve days.
It means Arteta will have little choice but to rotate his squad to avoid injuries and fatigue over the next couple of weeks. The Arsenal boss already has to deal with absentees, with both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny currently in the treatment room.
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Thankfully, the team's overall depth was improved in the summer, despite one or two gaps being left. With all of that in mind, football.london takes a look at the changes Arteta could make in an attempt to overcome the demanding fixture schedule.
At the back, It's probably the right time for Matt Turner to get his chance between the sticks after being behind Aaron Ramsdale since arriving from the States. It's no surprise, given he was signed as a replacement for Bernd Leno, but the 28-year-old will still be hoping to show what he can offer in games like this one.
As for the rest of the backline, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney can all come in for Ben White, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko. If he wanted to, Arteta could even play Tomiyasu at left-centre back instead of Gabriel Magalhaes and bring in Cedric at right full-back, although he will probably be reluctant to make too many changes at once.
In midfield, there may be a chance for Zinchenko to play in a slightly advanced role alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga. Considering the Ukrainian was left out of the squad against Fulham and Aston Villa, he has had more time to re-energise and so perhaps taking Granit Xhaka's place would make sense.
Arsenal fans were left excited by Fabio Vieira's cameo at the weekend, and I'm sure it impressed Arteta too. A start in his preferred No.10 role would hand him the perfect chance to do what he does best - create. It would also allow Martin Odegaard, who has been key in recent games, to have a well-earned breather.
Elsewhere, one particular change is dependent on the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe. The midfielder appeared to struggle in Arsenal's warm-down session after the match at Old Trafford and even headed for the tunnel early. He is not involved in this morning's training session, so the chances of him making the squad look slim. Replacing Gabriel Martinelli on the left would have been the obvious choice, but it looks like the Brazilian may be needed.
Regarding the right-hand side of the frontline, I think we can all agree that Bukayo Saka is also in desperate need of rest. The England international was the only Arsenal player to feature in all 38 Premier League matches last season, and he's already started in all six league fixtures so far this season too. Following three goals and one assist for the U21s, Marquinhos deserves the opportunity to make his competitive debut, and Thursday seems like the perfect time to give him exactly that.
Last but not least is the centre forward. I've enjoyed every moment of Gabriel Jesus leading the line over the last few weeks. He offers so much and is incredibly fun to watch. Yet I can't help but worry every time he goes to ground, and he's done that an awful lot due to his direct style of play. After being on the receiving end of several knocks, I think playing it safe and handing a start to Eddie Nketiah is the right thing to do.
Again, Nketiah deserves to get his chance after looking lively when called upon. Whether it's been in search of another goal or holding the ball up in the dying moments of a game, he's done his job well and is always a threat.
Potential Arsenal XI vs FC Zurich: Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Zinchenko, Vieira; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Smith Rowe (Martinelli).
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