For the last time this season, the Gunners have to negotiate a Premier League clash as they travel north to meet Burnley on the final day of the domestic season. But with Baku and the Europa League final only round the corner, how much of a priority is this game for Unai Emery and his men?
This game will go one of two ways; either a final first team outing or a much-changed reserve XI - it just depends how much Unai Emery values this last game. Burnley will be tough to beat regardless and won't want to give anything away in front of their own loyal fans in the spring sunshine.
Bernd Leno will return to Arsenal's goal regardless of anything else, whilst the shape should really be a back three with wing backs once again. However, personnel wise it where the debate starts. With only the long term injured players and those ruled out for the season unavailable, Emery has a few options at his disposal. The whispers are that Aaron Ramsey could return with some sort of fitness for the Europa League final but even that's a long shot. Emery does however have Ainsley Maitland-Niles available again following a one game domestic suspension so he can opt for his first choice right full back, if required.
The hosts will be well structured and well organised into an orthodox 4-4-2 with the physical yet productive combination of Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes up front. Both will be keen to put themselves about and cause not just a physical issue but an all round problem for Arsenal's shaky and unorganised defence. Whoever Emery plays will need to be alert and switched on from the off. Sean Dyche has no new injury concerns ahead of the game as only long term absentees Aaron Lennon and Steven Defour are unavailable.
Unai Emery can either play his usual first teamers in a bid to keep them on it ahead of the Europa League final or he can set out a combination of reserves and youngsters to rest his best guns. So, here are the two XI options he could go with...
Expected Reserve XI
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Stephan Lichtsteiner
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Dinos Mavropanos
RWB: Carl Jenkinson
CM: Mohamed Elneny
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
LWB: Alex Iwobi
RAM: Joe Willock
LAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
ST: Eddie Nketiah
Expected First Team XI
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
CB: Nacho Monreal
RWB: Ainlsey Maitland-Niles
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
CAM: Mesut Ozil
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: A nervy Arsenal win.
@craigbennett10
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