ARSENAL could potentially make changes for their midweek clash against Aston Villa – with the clash against Manchester United looming.
Key men could be rested as they take on Steven Gerrard’s struggling team.
Mikel Arteta’s first XI were unchanged for the first three league games of the season but injuries have hit the squad.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey were missing from the weekend’s win over Fulham due to strains.
And while Zinchenko could return tomorrow, Partey’s replacement against Fulham, Mohamed Elneny, is now also injured after feeling a strain after the match.
Arsenal are hopeful that the injury will keep him out for weeks and not months.
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It leaves the Gunners stretched in midfield and could see Martin Odegaard drop deeper in a major change from Saturday.
That move could carve open a space for Emile Smith Rowe to make his first start of the season in a more advanced position.
Otherwise Arteta could stick with most of his regular first 11 in order to keep momentum going from their four wins.
But with a game against Man United on the horizon on the weekend, the Arsenal boss could make some changes.
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Bukayo Saka and Ben White could be in line for rests after starting all four games for the London club this season.
This again could help make space for the versatile Smith Rowe, while Takehiro Tomiyasu could fill in at right-back.
On the other side of defence, Kieran Tierney may need to come in for Zinchenko again if the Ukrainian is not fit.
With fitness issues in midfield, it’s possible Arteta may leave Odegaard in an advanced position and start either Albert Sambi Lokonga or give a debut to new signing Fabio Vieira.
The Arsenal boss is not short on options if he wants to shuffle the deck.
But the likes of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, defender Gabriel and William Saliba, and in-form striker Gabriel Jesus are expected to keep their place.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
