Arsenal take to the field for the final time before the start of their Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain, as they face Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
The success of the Gunners’ campaign will be determined by whether they end the season as European champions for the first time, with Liverpool on the brink on securing the Premier League title.
Defeat for Mikel Arteta’s side in midweek will seal the Reds’ glorious fate with a month of the campaign remaining.
The Arsenal boss is bound to shuffle his pack again on Wednesday after a convincing win at Portman Road. Here’s how the Gunners could line up against the Eagles.
GK: David Raya – It’s been a great couple of days for Raya’s Golden Glove pursuit after the Spaniard’s clean sheet at Ipswich was followed up by Matz Sels conceding late on at Spurs. It’s a battle that’ll go down to the wire.
RB: Ben White – Arsenal have missed White as an attacking outlet, and Arteta could retain the Englishman at full-back on Wednesday.
CB: Jurrien Timber – There is a way for White and Timber to play together. William Saliba could do with a rest ahead of the first leg with PSG, so we might see the Dutchman start at centre-back against Palace – as he did in the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – Kiwior’s good form continued at the weekend, although he barely had to work at Portman Road.
LB: Kieran Tierney – Tierney made his first start of the season in the cup against Palace, and Arteta has utilised him more than many would’ve expected during the second half of the season. He could be in the starting XI again on Wednesday after appearing off the bench at the weekend.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey is suspended for the first leg and was left out of the side on Sunday. With Jorginho missing out again due to a rib injury, the Ghanaian could get the nod at the base of midfield.
CM: Declan Rice – The Englishman rarely drops out of the starting XI and could return to a more advanced position against Palace after starting as Arsenal’s No 6 on Sunday.
CM: Martin Odegaard – The skipper also hasn’t been offered too much respite in recent weeks, but there have been glimmers from Odegaard suggesting that he’s ready to play an important role at the most critical juncture in Arsenal’s season.
RW: Ethan Nwaneri – Bukayo Saka is okay after Leif Davis’ attempt to snap his Achilles last time out, but Arteta won’t want to take any chances with his superstar winger.
ST: Mikel Merino – Merino was brilliant at Portmand Road in a midfield role which involved plenty of box-crashing. Expect the Spaniard to earn another hour ahead of next week’s first leg.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Fresh off his first brace since 2023, Trossard could operate wide left and drop the in-form Gabriel Martinelli to the bench. The Belgian may find himself starting up top in a fluid role against PSG next week.
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