Arsenal will aim to finish the season on a high after their Premier League title dreams were dashed, starting with their penultimate match of the campaign at Nottingham Forest.
Defeat to Brighton last time out means the Gunners need an improbable drop in form from Manchester City to claim the league trophy. Anything less than a victory here will spark celebrations around the Etihad.
Here’s the side Mikel Arteta may pick on Saturday night to bounce back from that 3-0 defeat.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – Recently put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with Arsenal.
RB: Ben White – As Ian Wright put it, White was given quite the ‘roasting’ by Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma on Sunday.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – Might give it a little longer before checking his boots this weekend, having given away a goal to Brighton in bizarre circumstances last time out.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – Has started every one of Arsenal’s 36 league games so far this season despite having some recent injury issues.
LB: Kieran Tierney – Copped some flak for his role in the Kiwior debacle but will continue to start at left back in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence.
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CM: Martin Odegaard – One of three Gunners up for the 2022/23 Premier League Young Player of the Season award. He is also 24 years old.
CM: Thomas Partey – The Ghanaian’s slip in form towards the end of the season has seen Jorginho handed starts in recent weeks, but Partey could slide back in as Arsenal’s deepest midfielder.
CM: Granit Xhaka – Looks to be playing his final two Arsenal games after negotiations on a new deal stalled.
RW: Bukayo Saka – Like Odegaard, Saka is in the running for both player and young player of the season. Without a goal or an assist in his last four games.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Will hope a fully fit campaign next season can be the difference between first and second in the Premier League.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Gabriel Martinelli will miss the final two games of the season, with Trossard set to deputise. Has contributed a goal and eight assists since his January move from Brighton.
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On this edition ofย The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network,ย Harry Symeouย discusses the news that Aaron Ramsdale has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
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