Arsenal return to Champions League action against Monaco on Wednesday evening looking to secure a huge three points to help solidify their place in the top eight of the league phase. The importance of this and skipping a two-legged play-off game with another European opponent which could feature some massive names based on the table as it stands is a must for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has several injury worries and is waiting on the latest news for several of his squad. The French side have concerns of their own and former Gunners striker Folarin Balogun might indeed also miss the game with an injury.
Arteta needs to get the selection right and recover his side’s form, interrupted by a painful draw at Fulham on Sunday. Thankfully, football.london’s writers are on hand to discuss their thoughts on team selection.
Tom Canton
Picking an Arsenal team is hard for me these days let alone Mikel Arteta as we simply have such little insight into who might be available. While the Spaniard likes to keep things close to his chest, it does seem some things remain in flux as different players return from injury and others suffer new problems in the wake of recent games.
There is a lot of presumptions going on here but hopefully, the visit of Monaco marks the return of Gabriel Magalhaes at left-centre-half. The French side have threats and, as usual, plenty of unpredictable young players to choose from.
The full-back situation remains a concern and it might be here where the use of Josh Nichols could be the only option with Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey missing from training. Mikel Merino and the defensive work rate of Gabriel Martinelli can also help make this happen.
The remainder of the team sees Declan Rice in the six role, allowing another training absentee, Thomas Partey, to recover ahead of another big Premier League clash at the weekend. Everton will be allowed to rest for more than a week after their game with Liverpool was postponed so Arsenal need to be conscious of that as their Wednesday night game goes on.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Monaco: Raya; Nichols, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney ; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Kaya Kaynak
I think Mikel Arteta's options at the back are once again limited. Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey were all missing from training and could be out.
Jakub Kiwior is a good option at centre back in my opinion. Him and William Saliba are the only areas of stability at the back. It's not ideal but I think you put Kieran Tierney at right back and then play Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back for a first Champions League start.
That allows you to have Jorginho in midfield as the six. The trio with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard is certainly a good one.
In the forward line it's Bukayo Saka of course, but I'm giving Gabriel Jesus a go up top. Kai Havertz didn't really impress me against Fulham and I think the Brazilian deserves a go.
It's a similar case on the left wing where I'm opting for Raheem Sterling. Neither Leandro Trossard nor Gabriel Martinelli have done enough recently so why not try something different.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Monaco - Raya; Tierney, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Sterling.