Mikel Arteta will have to make some tough choices to select the right team for the trip to Bournemouth amid all the injury problems to his key stars. Arsenal still have quality players to deputise for those potentially absent. Several players from the midweek Brentford clash are likely to start at the Vitality stadium.
Arteta got asked about several of those injured players during his pre-match press conference. The Gunners boss insisted none of them had trained during the week. He did not specifically rule anyone just yet, but late squad updates did give some hints.
Arteta said, “Declan wasn’t available and had to leave the London derby. He hasn’t trained yet. We have another session in an hour or two, so we’ll have more news about him today. Gabriel hasn’t trained, and we want him back; we need him back, but at the moment, he’s not been available. Leandro – same situation. Bukayo – same situation.”
Some late updates showed Bukayo Saka had travelled with the squad alongside Declan Rice and William Saliba. The latter missed out on the Brentford clash altogether, with Arteta confirming he had suffered a knock. Arteta was later asked about Saka’s chances to play at Bournemouth and when will he decide on his selection.
He continued, “The assessment is ‘okay, is he fit enough and good enough to be able to be selected tomorrow?’ That’s the question mark and so far he hasn’t trained with the team.”
On the other players like Saliva and Fabio Vieira, Arteta said, “They’re all in the same pool. William as well had a knock, Fabio as well wasn’t involved in the last game. So we have to assess them today, see how they are and adapt to the situation because that’s a big number.”
With the key trio making the trip to Bournemouth, there are chances Arteta will play them against Bournemouth if they are completely fit. With Saka, he has shown in the past the winger usually recovers and many times surprised with his quick recovery.
With key games against Lens and Manchester City coming up, Arteta will lean on caution before making his selection. Hence, he could bring some of his regulars into the lineup and retain a few of those who featured against Brentford.
Hence, without Saliba at the back, Takehiro Tomiyasu could start alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Oleksandr Zinchenko will likely replace Jakub Kiwior, while David Raya could start between the sticks.Jorginho should continue at the base of Arsenal’s midfield. Martin Odegaard will likely replace Emile Smith Rowe on the right side. Kai Havertz will keep his place as the left eight, and upfront, Eddie Nketiah will likely lead the line. Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus will occupy the wide attacking roles.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Ben White, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Havertz; Jesus, Nketiah, Nelson
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