Mikel Arteta’s most-used starting XI in 2024 includes surprise Arsenal star – he’s played just once this season

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Arsenal have had a number of injury issues since the start of the 2023/24 season.

The Gunners went into the campaign as one of the favourites to win the Premier League title. Many people felt it was going to be between them and Manchester City again.

However, injuries to key players and a few debatable refereeing decisions have pushed Arsenal nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.

One player has barely played for Arsenal this season, but he still features in the starting lineup that Mikel Arteta used the most in 2024.

Mikel Arteta’s most-used Arsenal starting XI in 2024

Arteta likes to be consistent with his team selection, but for one reason or another, he rarely got to do that in 2024.

Many of Arsenal’s key players have suffered injuries at one stage or another over the last 12 months, and that caused team selection problems.

In the whole of 2024, Opta’s Harvey Downes reveals that Arsenal’s most-used starting lineup was deployed on just four occasions.

That was back in April and May last year, and the most surprising name in that side is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has played just once this season.

But, he started the four games against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Manchester United last year. Arsenal won all of those games with an aggregate score of 12-2.

Arsenal’s most used starting XI in 2024: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal have a big Takehiro Tomiyasu decision to make in 2025

Tomiyasu is probably the unluckiest player at Arsenal.

The Japan international is an incredible player. He can play anywhere across the backline and even in midfield if required and is adored by everyone at the club.

However, Tomiyasu has been extremely unlucky with injuries. He missed over 70 days of football in the 2023/24 season and has played just seven minutes this time around.

As much as we love the 26-year-old, Arsenal and Arteta have a decision to make regarding his future – either in this month’s transfer window or in the summer.

If Tomiyasu cannot prove his fitness, we think Arsenal will sadly have to move him on.