Arsenal host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Gunners have very little left to play for domestically, although there is a scenario where they secure a place in the top five this weekend with victory over the Cherries and a defeat for either Chelsea or Nottingham Forest.
However, all the attention will be on the Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and Mikel Arteta’s team selection will most likely reflect this.
Arsenal lost to PSG on Tuesday night at the Emirates, so Arteta will need his best players fit and firing at the Parc des Princes for them to stand any chance of progressing into the final.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bournemouth
Arsenal will have just three days in between this clash and their trip to Paris, and thus, Arteta is very likely to ring the changes.
Two wins from the North Londoners remaining four games should secure second place in the league, although this will be a second thought for the Spaniard, who’s primary concern will be getting his squad through the match unscathed.
David Raya will retain his place in between the sticks, while William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior look likely to start every single game together for the rest of the season.
Both full-backs could change, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber likely to be rested, and Ben White and Kieran Tierney the most likely candidates to replace them.
Riccardo Calafiori is unlikely to be available again, meaning Tierney may be granted what could be his final start in an Arsenal shirt.
In midfield, Thomas Partey was suspended for the first PSG game, meaning he’s likely to come back into the side.
Declan Rice may start out of necessity, with Oleksandr Zinchenko the most likely replacement for Martin Odegaard.
As for the front three, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling will likely come in, with Leandro Trossard retaining his place up front, ahead of the Belgian potentially dropping to the bench in midweek.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bournemouth: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney, Partey, Rice, Zinchenko, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling.
Three Arsenal players should play no role at all against Bournemouth
While attaining one more win and securing Champions League qualification for next season is important, there’s a spot in Munich for the final on the table, and Arteta must do everything he can to secure it.
That means potentially sacrificing the points in this game if need be, with certain players not worth the risk of bringing on purely to rescue a result on Saturday evening.
As shown by Leif Davis’ reckless challenge on Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s win over Ipswich over Easter, one poor tackle could leave the Gunners without a key player.
Saka is one of those who cannot be risked in any capacity against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Meanwhile, Odegaard has looked exhausted in recent matches and needs a weekend off to ensure he’s firing on all cylinders in France.
Timber must also be protected, as the Dutchman will need to produce a dominant display against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Wednesday.
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