Predicted Arsenal lineup and XI vs Girona as Mikel Arteta makes several changes including transfer-linked star

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Mikel Arteta could make several changes to his Arsenal squad as the Gunners face Girona in the Champions League.

After Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb last time out in the Champions League, the Gunners moved within touching distance of the round of 16.

Arteta’s side are all but there with regard to sealing automatic qualification, with the finishing touches all that’s left to apply against Girona.

In what has been an injury-laden campaign so far, Arteta will be relieved to get over the line in the Champions League new format without the need for a play-off.

• READ MORE: Girona vs Arsenal – TV channel, live stream details, injury news, Champions League table and more

Arsenal team news for Girona Champions League clash

Heading into the final game of the competition league phase, Arsenal have injury doubts in the form of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

White returned to training ahead of the Wolves fixture after undergoing surgery and Tomiyasu was spotted at Colney amid a lengthy battle with injury.

Elsewhere, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino missed out against Wolves as the captain was battling illness and the Spaniard suffered a knock.

Fortunately, both Merino and Odegaard returned to training, handing the Gunners a boost ahead of the fixture.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined due to serious injury, with both players in recovery after surgery.

While a result against Girona is needed, given where Arsenal are at concerning automatically qualifying for the round of 16, rotation should be considered, here’s how the Gunners could line up.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Girona

David Raya will almost certainly start between the sticks with changes expected ahead of the Spaniard.

Despite Kieran Tierney’s transfer to Celtic being confirmed, the Scotsman could start at left-back to hand those ahead of him in the pecking order a rest, in what could be his final appearance for Arsenal.

William Saliba could also be rested after newly recovering from injury, with a central pairing of Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Magalhaes a possibility.

Arsenal’s options at right-back are rather scarce, so Jurrien Timber may start again for the Gunners.

In midfield, a pivot of Thomas Partey and Jorginho could support Ethan Nwaneri ahead of them in the attack, with the Englishman starting ahead of captain Odegaard, who just returned from illness.

Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling could start on the flanks, giving Leandro Trossard a run-out in the striker role, presenting Kai Havertz with a well-earned rest.

Full Arsenal predicted XI vs Girona: Raya; Tierney, Kiwior, Gabriel, Timber; Jorginho, Partey, Nwaneri; Martinelli, Sterling, Trossard