Three key Arsenal changes are now glaringly obvious to Mikel Arteta as Inter Milan clash looms

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Mikel Arteta has several issues to deal with in his squad ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the San Siro.

The Champions League returns for the Gunners on Wednesday night as Arsenal face Inter Milan at the iconic San Siro. 

It’s going to be an incredibly tough fixture for the North Londoners, who are seeking redemption after failing to record a win in their previous three Premier League games.

In the Champions League, the last game was similarly unexciting, with a lacklustre attacking display seeing Arsenal’s clash with Shakhtar Donetsk end in a narrow 1-0 win.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta has still not learned important lesson from last year, three mistakes prove it

Inter Milan vs Arsenal: Mikel Arteta has to make changes

A lack of attacking prowess has been evident in the majority of Arsenal’s fixtures without Martin Odegaard present.

The captain is Arteta’s famed playmaker which is a blessing and a curse, as the manager is struggling to adapt to life without the Norwegian. 

With or without Odegaard, the fact is that Arsenal’s attacking approach has to change, with no time better than the present to do so. 

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta response to Martin Odegaard question now speaks volumes about Arsenal squad

At the San Siro, the Gunners will have to be creatively perfect to get the better of Inter away from home, as Simone Inzaghi’s side are yet to concede in the Champions League.

If Arsenal arrive in Milan programmed to play as they did against Newcastle, there will be little hope of taking three points from Inter, presenting Arteta with a vital chance to show off his flexibility.

Three changes Arsenal must make against Inter Milan

Tactical change is not the only thing that must be altered ahead of the clash at the San Siro, with a personnel swap another area that the boss has to address.

Adding a different dimension to his side going forward can happen in all areas of the pitch, here are three changes that Arteta must make before the Champions League meeting. 

• READ MORE: ‘Very poor’… Ian Wright slams Arsenal display against Newcastle after they failed to do one crucial thing

IN: Jorginho OUT: Mikel Merino

The central areas are in desperate need of change, with one clear issue against Newcastle being Mikel Merino’s performance.

The Spaniard is still adapting to returning to the English game and looked off the pace at St James’ Park in midfield.

To add some passing quality and experience, Arteta could be tempted to drop the summer signing to welcome the metronome that is Jorginho to sit in front of Declan Rice. 

IN: Ethan Nwaneri OUT: Leandro Trossard

Perhaps the most obvious change would be to drop out of form Leandro Trossard for the hungry talent of Ethan Nwaneri.

The 17-year-old has shown that he’s worth taking a risk on, being faultless in all of his senior appearances so far this season.

Not only is the youngster mature and comfortable on the ball, but could offer Arsenal a creative outlet that they haven’t had in Odegaard’s absence.

IN: Ben White OUT: Thomas Partey

As mentioned, attacking spark can come from any area, which leads to the final change that the manager should make.

In the instance that Ben White is fit to start, the Englishman should usurp Thomas Partey at right back, with the Ghanaian being rather limited on the overlap.

While Partey has been impressive in recent weeks, Arsenal must focus on their attacking threat, something that White can bolster by fusing with Bukayo Saka on the right side.