Mikel Arteta told to hand rest to Arsenal star who ‘loves the Champions League’ vs Burnley

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Arsenal could be set to welcome several players back from injury against Burnley today, including Gabriel Jesus.

However, there is an argument to be made that Mikel Arteta should stick with an unchanged XI from the team that thrashed West Ham last Sunday, and the returning players could come in for the Champions League clash against Porto next Wednesday instead.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is a player who could be set to feature again, but Jakub Kiwior may perhaps deserve to keep his place after showing an improvement in recent games at left-back.

Jesus missed the last two games after a decisive performance against Nottingham Forest, and Leandro Trossard started upfront and scored against West Ham.

Arteta urged to stick with Leandro Trossard vs Burnley

Former Gunner Adrian Clarke has now told the Handbrake Off Podcast that Trossard should keep his place against Burnley, allowing Jesus some extra time to recover, before the Brazilian comes back in for the Champions League clash.

“I probably would not start him (Gabriel Jesus),” he stated.

“I think it worked pretty fine (against West Ham), and if having a few extra days rest helps get him right for Porto potentially, because he loves the Champions League doesn’t he, and I think he makes us better in the Champions League, I’d rather him feature in that game than the Burnley game.

“Maybe he could come off the bench if he’s fit enough to be involved at the weekend.”

Leandro Trossard helps Arsenal play better

As well as Jesus performed in his last game, Trossard’s recent form has helped the attack click, and whilst the Brazilian also brings out the best in others, the Belgian deserves to keep his place for the Premier League fixture.

“Trossard plays the striker role in his own way. It’s not the same as Jesus, he comes a lot deeper than Jesus would, but he still goes and roams and does a bit, and I think that’s something that really helps the other players,” Clarke added.

“It helped Saka the other day, it helped Havertz, it gave them space to run into, so I quite like that setup, so I’d probably stick with the team we saw against West Ham.

Jesus could come in for the tie at Porto, especially given his outstanding Champions League record of 24 goals in 42 appearances in the competition, and he will come in fully fresh after a bit of extra rest if Trossard starts against Burnley.