Therefore, when it comes to putting together an eleven which does not include any of the nine aforementioned stars it both showcases the weight of the problem Arteta has, but also the depth that he and sporting director Edu have managed to bring together. David Raya is thankfully available, as are William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori who make up four of the back five.
At right-back with White and Timber still in question, the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu to fitness, after his cameo against the Saints, could not be more timely. He slots straight into the full-back position to get some valuable minutes.
The midfield without Odegaard is an interesting one and perhaps where Ethan Nwaneri can fit into the role, but many and even perhaps Mikel Arteta believe this could be too soon. Therefore, throwing Mikel Merino into a more advanced role could be an answer.
Behind the Spaniard would be Declan Rice who takes on the number six role. Despite the worries over Nwaneri mentioned before, he does indeed take this role over the idea of Jorginho coming in to push Merino up – this strategy would just be too defensive for my liking.
Up top, Gabriel Jesus fulfils the absence of Havertz and would be needed to deliver goals which so far this season have eluded him. Either side are the ever-capable Leandro Trossard on the left and in Saka’s role is Raheem Sterling who could be the depth on the right Arteta’s side has been looking for.
Possible Arsenal XI: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Nwaneri; Sterling, Jesus, Trossard
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