Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2 in midweek and next up, they take on Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta made a few changes to his first XI vs Chelsea and since that side did so well at the Bridge, everyone will be expecting the manager to name an unchanged side this weekend.
Arsenal are working with a very small squad so there shouldn’t be any unnecessary changes but Arteta has admitted that he could still make a few reshuffles on Saturday.
The manager said in his press conference: “It is hard[to change a winning combinaton], but fortunately that’s been the case in many weeks when had to pick others that have to step in and they’ve done well for the team because they always prepare well.
“That’s what we expect, that doesn’t mean we are always going to repeat the same line up. We have options to change and we have options to change again tomorrow and play in different ways.”
The Arsenal boss has clearly hinted that he will need to rest players against Manchester United and full-back Cedric could be one of them.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is close to making a return and there’s a big chance that he will come into the right-back role. Cedric has done well in his absence but Tomiyasu has been a much better this season.
Eddie Nketiah scored a brace against Chelsea but Lacazette will be pushing for a start after he came on as a sub in midweek. With the kind of form he is in, it will be unfair to drop Nketiah but Lacazette will be a much more reliable option vs the Red Devils.
Arsenal have not yet given up all hope of persuading Eddie Nketiah to stay. Arsenal accept they may not be able to compete with Nketiah’s desire to play more regularly than he has, but a final decision has yet to be made, leaving them still hopeful. [@AdrianJKajumba] #afc pic.twitter.com/ZIksv7RAbE
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 21, 2022
Martinelli is also available for selection and if Mikel Arteta wants to rotate his starting line up then he too can come in for Emile Smith Rowe.
Changing a winning combination is not advisable but the Gunners still have to play some very important matches and right now, Mikel Arteta cannot afford any more injuries. The Spaniard will have to keep an eye on the injuries list and if he wishes to avoid any more casualties then he has to rest a few starters from the Chelsea game.
