Mikel Arteta faces a selection headache in the final three games of the season against his Arsenal team at the time of a slump following injuries to William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko
NEWCASTLE ON TYNE, UK - MAY 07:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC in St. James Park on May 7, 2023 at Newcastle on the River Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has a choice headache after Arsenal's latest injury
Mikel Arteta will be forced into a selection headache as his Arsenal team peaks after two serious injuries.
William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko were eliminated for the remainder of the campaign. That leaves Arteta with an even bigger task as he looks to lead his side past Manchester City in the chase for the Premier League title.
Their recent four-game winless streak has severely dented their hopes of winning the league for the first time in 19 years. They have closed the gap to one point with wins over Newcastle and Chelsea, although City still have a game in hand.
As if his task couldn't be more difficult, Arteta will now have to do without the two best players on his team. The back injury Saliba suffered in the match against Sporting Lisbon will keep him out of the final three games of the season.
And Zinchenko's calf problem against Newcastle looks worse than expected, with the Ukrainian also sidelined for a long time. This poses a problem for Arteta ahead of games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves. The Spaniard can still summon number one goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Englishman has impressed and is trying to get Jordan Pickford's starting place in the national team.
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While he played at centre-back last season, Ben White is likely to continue playing at right-back as Takehiro Tomiyasu is also in the treatment room. Instead, Jakub Kiwior should continue to pair with Gabriel in the center of defence.
The January signing from Spezia has replaced Rob Holding in Arsenal's last two games, which both won. Meanwhile, at left-back, the number one choice last season Kieran Tierney is expected to have a place after losing his position to Zinchenko this season.
Tierney has struggled to attract the Ukrainian but has been touted as a potential future captain by the Gunners in the past. In midfield, Arteta has begun to change in recent weeks and it has paid off. That means Granit Xhaka, Jorginho and Martin Odegaard can continue as a midfield trio, with Thomas Partey left on the bench. Jorginho especially impressed in the wins against Chelsea and Newcastle instead of Partey.
Arteta might be tempted to change from the start, with Leandro Trossard trying to call back. But Gabriel Martinelli's goal against Newcastle will allow the Brazilian to keep the starting position at the moment.
Alongside Martinelli, Saka has established himself as one of the best wingers in the Premier League this season and will continue to play on the right wing. And we can expect Gabriel Jesus to continue leading the charge.
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