Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press ahead of Arsenal’s final Champions League group game against PSV tomorrow evening.
With the group already won, there is plenty of scope for rotation, but the manager is restricted in certain positions due to injury. He’s also keen to ensure that the game is won, and as such will likely field a changed, but very familiar side.
Asked about his plans to make changes, Arteta said, “We have five or six big injuries, so we are already a bit thin.
“I don’t know in a different context what I would have done. But as well I want everyone together, and everyone together with the mentality to win. I want to see in the tummy of the players tomorrow that although the job technically is done, it is not completely done.
“Our duty as representatives of Arsenal is to win every game and tomorrow we need a big performance against a team that is going to make it very difficult like they have shown in the past two years here.”
There are a few young players included in the squad, with Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters having made the trip to the Netherlands, but it remains to be seen if any will be giving a starting place tomorrow.
Explaining their inclusion, the boss continued, “First of all we have certain needs in certain positions. Some others we decided because of the necessities we have and how we might use those players tomorrow, so they were the best ones to bring.
“They are three big prospects. We want to bring a lot of players from a system and they deserve to be here. The circumstances have got them into this position.
“They’re still really really young but we want to get them the experience because they have the talent hopefully to be very close to us. We’ll try to give them the opportunity if we can in the right moment.”
I think Ramsdale, Kiwior, Nelson, Jorginho, Elneny, Trossard and Nketiah make a whole lot of sense as starters. I know many want to see a full academy team, but there is a balance between rest and staying sharp/match fit, and the minutes will do them some good.
3 million pounds for a win, can’t believe arsenal, the institution would throw the game.
I was thinking:
Ramsdale
Walters White Gabi Kiwior
Elneny Jorginho Kai
Nelson Nketiah Trossard
For me:
Trossard Nketiah Nelson
Ode
El Neny – Jorginho
Zinny – Kiwior – Walters – Cedric
Ramsdale
—–
That’s decent enough, in my opinion. We really don’t need to be risking anything for this game when we have a packed schedule coming up with a raft of injuries to contend with.
Absolutely would not play Zinchenko or Odegard under any circumstances.
Definitely not Zinchenko
ahhhh Cedric….. NEVER!
I’d be very surprised if we see more than 4 changes.
The drop off is too big between first 11 and rest – Mickey hates loosing.
Would have thought cedric has to play to bring him up to speed with tomi out and white recently out. If Walters plays he must mean he has the managers backing to really step up
Unfortunately, you are exactly right.
Ramsdale
Walters Gabriel Kiwior Cedric
Elneny Jorginho Kai
Nwaneri Nketiah Nelson