Mikel Arteta to make nine Arsenal changes vs Kairat with two players suspended

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could make nine changes to the starting line-up for the final league phase game of the Champions League against Kairat at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend. Matheus Cunha scored a late 87th-minute winner for the Red Devils at the Emirates.

As a result, the club have only a four-point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the standings. They face Leeds United in their next league game at Elland Road on Saturday.

This could have a huge influence on the selection tomorrow. Arsenal are already guaranteed a top-two spot in the league phase of the Champions League. The Kairat game is pretty much a dead rubber.

However, Arteta will still field a strong line-up as a victory is worth €2.1 million in prize money.

Declan Rice and Mikel Merino won’t play any part as they are suspended after triggering the threshold of three yellow cards for a European ban this term. There could be nine changes made.

Three changes in defence

Arteta has the perfect opportunity to rest his regular defenders for the encounter. Jurrien Timber should make way for Ben White at right-back. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should be given breathers on the back of a tough weekend.

Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are likely to line up in the heart of the defence. Riccardo Calafiori could make his first appearance since late December when he picked up a muscle injury. The Italian could get the nod in the left-back position.

David Raya has kept five clean sheets in the Champions League and should continue between the sticks ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga against the Kazakhstan champions.

New-look midfield

Martin Zubimendi had the worst game of his Arsenal career against United, gifting the Red Devils with their opening goal. He has started four matches in the space of just 11 days and should be completely rested or restricted to a cameo appearance.

Christian Norgaard is the natural replacement for Zubimendi in the number six position. The Dane must be cautious against Kairat. He is already on two yellow cards and would be suspended for the first leg of the round of 16 if he is booked tomorrow.

With Rice and Merino suspended and Ethan Nwaneri away on loan at Marseille, it seems the ideal game for Arteta to try Myles Lewis-Skelly as a central midfielder. With rotation expected, Eberechi Eze should come in for Martin Odegaard in the number 10 role.

Fresh attack

Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus are likely to be benched. Arteta has regularly rotated his wing options over recent weeks, and we should see more of the same. Noni Madueke, who has already netted thrice in the Champions League this season, looks poised to start on the right wing.

Gabriel Martinelli has been a revelation in the elite European club competition this term with five goals in six outings. The Brazilian also delivered a fabulous long ball for Viktor Gyokeres’ goal against Inter Milan last week. He should get the nod over Trossard on the left side of the attack.

Jesus was rewarded with a starting role on Sunday after his brace against Inter Milan on the road. He was largely ineffective before he was replaced in the 58th minute. Gyokeres has three goal contributions in his last four appearances. The Swede is highly likely to lead the line.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & UEFA.com

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