Three things Mikel Arteta needs to do now in preparation for next season, including a big decision on Ethan Nwaneri

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Arsenal are preparing for their first game since a 1-0 win over Chelsea as they welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium.

The Premier League clash with Fulham begins an end of season run in where Arsenal’s hopes of success hinge on a Champions League quarter final with holders Real Madrid.

Bukayo Saka has returned to training in a huge boost for Mikel Arteta’s side but with hopes of a league title all but dashed, it gives the Gunners room to rotate and experiment domestically.

Arsenal are virtually secured a top four finish and whilst the club will still be going all out to finish second, the league fixtures now allow Arteta to fine tune some burning issues ahead of another tilt next campaign.

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Three things Mikel Arteta can do in Arsenal preparation for next season

Arteta will know that injuries to key stars such as Kai Havertz and Saka have played a huge part in Arsenal’s title disappointment this season.

However, the Gunners have been below par for much of the campaign and dropped points in games where they should have been claiming three points without much trouble.

With that said, Arsenal’s preparations for next season can start with the upcoming clash against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium and there are issues that Arteta can begin to iron out now.

Arteta needs to decide on a settled back four

It is a great dilemma for Arteta to have and a far cry from his forward options this season but the Gunners boss needs to settle on his first choice back four ahead of next campaign.

Jurrien Timber welcomed the return of Ben White from injury and the pair give the manager incredible options at right back, Timber also has the versatility to play on the left.

Riccardo Calafiori is awaiting his injury verdict but Myles Lewis-Skelly has emerged as Arteta’s number one choice at left back in recent months.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will continue their formidable centre back partnership barring any summer transfer developments involving the pair but fans will be desperate for their foundation to continue.

The run in now provides Arteta to settle on his first choice back four and bring solidity and consistency between the partnerships both at the back and going forward.

Declan Rice’s midfield role needs to be finalised

Alan Shearer recently praised Declan Rice for his recent form and for both club and country Rice has taken his game to another level since the turn of the calendar year.

The issue for Arteta now is where he sees Rice playing his best football moving forward, he was signed as a defensive midfielder but has developed into a fine number eight.

With Thomas Partey likely to depart the club and Martin Zubimendi’s transfer to Arsenal in doubt, Arteta needs to decide where he wants to deploy his record signing.

Rice has transformed his playing style under Arteta and from now until May, the Gunners needs to make a decision on the 26-year-old in order to finalise his summer transfer plans.

How Arteta deploys Ethan Nwaneri amid Saka return

Ethan Nwaneri’s emergence has been a real positive for Arsenal this season and his form has become so good that Arteta cannot afford to drop the 18-year-old from the side even amid Saka’s return.

The dilemma is now how the Gunners can line up with both Saka and Nwaneri in the side, with one eye on next season and the team’s development.

Nwaneri could replace Martin Odegaard in the number ten position with the Norwegian have been below par this season but a more likely position for the youngster could be from the left hand side.

That could mean Gabriel Martinelli is given a central striker role from now until May but Arteta needs to find a way of including his most potent attacking threats in the side.