Arsenal host Brentford on Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium, days before they face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, and Arsenal Insider understands that Mikel Arteta will ring the changes.
The Gunners find themselves eleven points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool with seven games remaining.
Thus, attention is understandably on Europe’s elite competition for the remainder of the campaign.
Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates on Tuesday, setting Mikel Arteta’s team up nicely ahead of the second leg, although there’s still plenty of work to do at the Bernabeu.
Early Arsenal team news for Brentford clash
Ian Wright has urged Arteta to make several changes for the encounter with Brentford, and the Arsenal legend may get his wish.
Arteta named a rotated team against Everton prior to the first leg, and the Spaniard is likely to do the same this time around.
TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that the Gunners boss may even hand out some debuts to some Hale End academy prospects.
“I am hearing that there could be a couple of debuts on Saturday,” he said.
“We’re expecting wholesale changes. There could be at least two debuts, there could be some new names on the bench.
“Who knows how many changes, does he [Arteta] make eleven changes? I don’t think anyone would disagree if he did do that. We probably won’t see eleven changes.
“From what I’m told, I expect at least eight, maybe more, changes. A couple of debuts, a couple of new names. I guess he’ll be deciphering that with his staff over the next 48 hours.”
Who could make their Arsenal debut against Brentford?
The likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Josh Nichols, Jack Porter, Tommy Setford and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji have all made their Arsenal senior debuts this season, with all but Lewis-Skelly yet to feature in the league.
Nichols could be one in line for a Premier League debut this weekend, with the right-back impressing in pre-season.
Arteta may want to rest William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, potentially making room for Nichols to come in.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jimi Gower has been on the bench in recent weeks, and he could be in contention to feature against the Bees.
While Jorginho is waiting on the sidelines to play a role, the Gunners lack other backup midfield options, making Gower a genuine candidate.
In the forward areas, the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling will probably come in, meaning there may not be an opportunity for a young attacker.
However, the likes of Butler-Oyedeji and Ismael Kabia could be called upon from the bench.
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