Following the conclusion of the international break, Mikel Arteta will have his entire focus on Arsenal’s trip to face Manchester City on Sunday.
The Gunners lost 4-1 at the Etihad in April of last season, and Arteta will know how important a win this time around could be for the squad’s mental belief.
Significantly, Arsenal were without William Saliba on that occasion, with Rob Holding replacing the Frenchman at the back.
But with Saliba now fit, and Declan Rice at the club this season, there’s every reason to believe that things will transpire differently.
Of course, there are still some injury concerns this time around too – for both clubs for that matter.
But Arteta is still sweating on the fitness of key trio, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli.
Perhaps Martinelli is the biggest doubt of those three, but Arsenal fans will still be hoping that Arteta almost has a full complement of players to choose from.
That being said, The Boot Room are expecting that Arsenal will make one key change from the side that beat FC Porto shortly before the international break.
Mikel Arteta to make Gabriel Martinelli decision before Arsenal face Manchester City
Fitness dependent, we believe that Arteta will turn to Martinelli for this crucial trip.
Rumours of his foot injury being more significant than first feared have now been quashed, and fans may hope to see the Brazilian back on the left in place of Leandro Trossard.
If ‘incredible’ Martinelli isn’t fit then Trossard seems very likely to keep his place, even with Gabriel Jesus gaining fitness over the break.
It would seem odd for Jesus to sit on the bench against his old club, but there’s almost no justification for dropping Kai Havertz.
Havertz played both of Germany’s games as a false nine over the break, and although frustrated by Virgil van Dijk in the second game, he still impressed overall.
Of course, the team above also leaves Thomas Partey on the bench – another unthinkable decision this time last year.
And speaking of big calls, we believe that Jakub Kiwior should also keep his spot at left-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko given the magnitude of the game.
It’s a huge test for Arteta and his Arsenal side, and he’ll be doing everything in his power to mastermind two wins in one season against his old club, City.
Arsenal’s predicted XI: Raya; Kiwior, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Saka.
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