After the international break Arsenal will soon embark on their first Champions League campaign for some time, and Fabio Vieira has to start.
That’s off the back of another fantastic Vieira cameo against Manchester United yesterday.
Vieira is now putting real pressure on Kai Havertz on the left side of Arsenal’s midfield three.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
And a start in the Champions League will be an excellent chance to make his case further.
Although the competition is of huge importance, Arsenal must be expected to make a decent amount of changes initially in Europe this season.
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Mikel Arteta has built a competitive squad for a reason and Arsenal Insider thinks these players should get a chance against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates.
First of all, David Raya.
Raya was brought to the club to put pressure on Aaron Ramsdale, and without game time he can’t do that.
In defence, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the most obvious candidates pushing for a start.
If you consider Arsenal’s back four against Manchester United to be first choice for now, then both will hope to rotate into the side.
Arsenal have to start Vieira in their first Champions League game this season
That brings us onto the midfield.
Rotating Declan Rice for Jorginho is an option, but the former is playing so well and rarely showed a need for rotation at West Ham United.
Fabio Vieira, however, has to be a staple of Arsenal’s Champions League campaign.
Arteta has already commented that Vieira is a completely different player this season, and he has to give him the chance to keep building his confidence.
When considering changes in attack, it would seem obvious that Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard would come in.
Of course that’s assuming Gabriel Jesus has returned to first choice striker following his brilliant cameo against United.
And of the spots not mentioned above, Arsenal will of course need to keep the spine of their strongest side to ensure success in such a prestigious competition.
All of Ben White, William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka should be able to deal with the extra minutes just fine.
Of course that would leave Emile Smith Rowe as a very unlucky substitute, the reality of Arsenal’s squad right now.
Arsenal Insider’s preferred XI to face PSV:
David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Declan Rice, Fabio Vieira, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard.