Arsenal’s Premier League title has already defined the season.
That being said, the final game against Crystal Palace offers something different.
With the title secured, Mikel Arteta has historically rotated in these moments. Mikel Arteta has often rotated in these moments, using the final fixtures to assess squad roles rather than chase results.
That context matters here, because while the outcome against Palace will not change the season, the selection decision might still shape what comes next for certain players.
Some will lift the trophy, while others may be edging towards the end of their role within it.
Gabriel Jesus could make final Arsenal appearance vs Crystal Palace
Gabriel Jesus has fallen out of Arsenal’s starting attack, and that shift now defines his situation.
Jesus has started just two Premier League games this season, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres both used centrally ahead of him during the title run-in. That selection pattern been consistent in recent weeks, particularly when looking at recent training absences within the squad.
That shift has reduced his role during the title run-in.
Earlier in Arteta’s rebuild, Jesus was essential. His movement between the lines allowed Arsenal to progress the ball quickly, while his pressing set the tone out of possession. In the 2022–23 season, he averaged over 20 pressures per 90, ranking among the most active forwards in the league.
Arsenal’s structure has now evolved, with the attack now operating in a more fixed system.
The attack is now more fixed. Havertz offers a physical focal point, while wide players hold width more consistently. That reduces the need for the fluid, roaming role Jesus once thrived in.
As a result, his importance has shifted from central figure to rotational option.
Against Crystal Palace, his involvement will not confirm anything definitively. But it will reflect where he currently sits within the squad hierarchy heading into the summer.
Christian Nørgaard’s role highlights Arsenal’s midfield evolution
Christian Nørgaard’s situation reflects how Arsenal’s midfield profile has changed during the title-winning season.
Arsenal’s midfield is now built around intensity and progression.
Declan Rice leads the league in ball recoveries among midfielders, while Martin Ødegaard continues to drive Arsenal forward with high-volume chance creation. The combination prioritises physical dominance and forward momentum.
Nørgaard offers something different.
His game is built on positioning and control rather than mobility. At Brentford, he captained Thomas Frank’s side; often sitting deeper and reading play rather than engaging aggressively.
That contrast highlights how Arsenal’s midfield has shifted towards physical dominance.
As Arsenal push towards a more physically dominant midfield, profiles that do not fully match that identity can become transitional pieces. Not because they lack quality, but because the system is moving in a different direction.
Fixtures like Palace allow Arteta to assess those roles.
Not just in isolation, but within the wider context of where the team is heading.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Arsenal future depends on summer decisions
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s role has been clear, but his long-term position remains uncertain.
Arsenal brought Kepa in as experienced cover.
When called upon, he has provided stability; particularly in the Carabao Cup. However, he received backlash due to his Carabao Cup final performance vs Manchester City.
That distinction is key.
At top clubs, goalkeeper depth is constantly reviewed. Arsenal rely heavily on their ability to play out from the back, meaning even backup options must fit specific technical demands.
If Arteta chooses to strengthen that area again this summer, players in supporting roles naturally come under scrutiny.
Therefore, a start against Palace may appear routine.
But in reality, it could be part of a broader evaluation ahead of the next phase.
Why Arsenal vs Crystal Palace still matters after winning the title
Post-title fixtures often shape squad decisions more than results.
With the pressure gone, attention shifts.
Arteta has already proven this team can win the Premier League. The next step is sustaining that level, which requires constant adjustment within the squad.
That means difficult decisions.
Some players will move forward as part of the next phase. Others may see their role reduced or reconsidered entirely.
That is the reality at elite level.
The Palace game will not define Arsenal’s season.
But it may quietly indicate how the next one begins.