Arteta must unleash 19yo in new position vs Kairat with Zubimendi & Odegaard rested

Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Kairat Almaty in the final league phase game of the Champions League campaign.

The Gunners are already assured a top-two spot in the league standings, and they require just one point against Kairat to guarantee the first position.

Manager Mikel Arteta will obviously be looking for the win, given the Gunners are firm and clear-cut favourites to beat the Kazakhstan champions.

Ahead of the encounter, the Spaniard has a big decision to make in the heart of the midfield.

Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are suspended for the encounter. The game offers the ideal opportunity to give Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard a breather.

Zubimendi had the worst game of his Arsenal career against Manchester United in the Premier League. The Spaniard gifted the Red Devils with their opening goal with a poor back pass.

The former Real Sociedad midfielder has started four matches in the space of 11 days and should be completely rested before the weekend league trip to Leeds United.

Christian Norgaard is a natural replacement for the Spaniard in the number six role. The Dane has been called into action by Arteta whenever Zubimendi has been given a break.

Alongside Norgaard, Arteta has the perfect opportunity to play Myles Lewis-Skelly in a central midfield role, with Eberechi Eze operating as the most advanced of the midfield trio.

Lewis-Skelly, 19, has had plenty of experience playing in the heart of the midfield for the academy, but Arteta has exclusively used him as a left-back since his breakthrough into the first team last season.

Wednesday provides an ideal chance to test the Gunners graduate in a new position. Kai Havertz has been training regularly after his lengthy injury, but there are concerns over his knee condition.

The German star could be eased back into action after his knee recently flared up on his return. He could be restricted to a substitute appearance, and we don’t see him starting tomorrow.

Hence, Arteta must unleash Lewis-Skelly from a central midfield role against Kairat. He has bagged two assists from six European games this term, and has the chance to add to his tally.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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