Arteta could hand two rare starts vs PSV as Arsenal make eight changes

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could hand rare starts to a couple of players as part of a much-changed team that travels to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday. Arsenal head to Holland knowing a point is enough to secure top spot in Group A of the Europa League.

The Gunners have won all four of their group matches so far this season. Finishing first would put the north London side straight through to the last-16 and avoid a round of 32 clash against one of the teams dropping down from the Champions League.

PSV are the other team in the group most likely to make it to the knockout stages. If Arsenal were to lose on Thursday, they’d likely have to win at home to FC Zurich next week to confirm first place.

Arteta could make up to eight changes at the Philips Stadium. Two players that could come into the team are Cedric Soares and Reiss Nelson.

Cedric is yet to play a single minute in all competitions this season. The Portugal international missed a few weeks due to injury but has mostly been ignored by Arteta.

Ben White has featured a lot at right-back this term while Arteta will be cautious of playing Takehiro Tomiyasu too much following his injury problems. Cedric therefore could come in on the right of defence.

Meanwhile, Nelson could make just his second start for Arsenal since January 2021. He has featured in the last three group matches and began the away game at Bodo/Glimt.

This season is really the last chance saloon for Nelson at the Emirates. His contract expires next summer and he is yet to show any reason on the pitch as to why Arsenal should extend it.

Bukayo Saka could be rested and make way for Nelson after he started the reverse fixture seven days ago. Gabriel Martinelli was only a late substitute in that game, so could play off the left from the start.

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Marquinhos missed training on Wednesday so doesn’t look likely to be available. Eddie Nketiah hasn’t scored in his last five matches but will likely start ahead of Gabriel Jesus, who is on a barren run of form himself.

William Saliba and Gabriel have rotated in the middle of defence in Europe this term and it could be the Brazilian’s turn to miss out. Rob Holding will partner whichever defender Arteta picks.

Kieran Tierney should come in at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko still absent. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira will play in midfield, alongside either Granit Xhaka or Martin Odegaard.

Xhaka has played a lot more minutes than Odegaard this season, so the Arsenal captain may be given the nod. He, Saliba and Martinelli are the only three who could keep their place from the 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday.

Arsenal’s expected XI vs PSV in full: Turner; Cedric, Saliba, Holding, Tierney; Lokonga, Vieira, Odegaard; Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli.

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