Dowman could start, especially with Martinelli a doubt and Saka maybe needing a rest.
Arteta usually rotates less than I hope in these situations so it’ll probably be Saka on the right. But Id be happy to see Dowman and get a fresh Saka for the weekend.
Dowman should not be getting 90 minutes at any stage this season unless we draw a non-league team in the FA Cup.
Saliba and Martinelli out.
Ahead of Brighton’s visit to the Emirates on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta offered a mixed update:
“Saliba is out, he won’t be involved in this match. Rice will be available. Calafiori, yes [available]. Martinelli, it looks as well as though he is going to be out. This game will come too early for him.”
The boss added it was too early to tell how long Saliba and Martinelli would be sidelined. As for Saka, who was ill last week but recovered enough to start against the Eagles, he’s “going to be fine.”
With that in mind:
Kepa
White-Mosquera-Gabriel-MLS
Nwaneri-Norgaard-Merino
Saka-Gyokeres-Trossard
Gabriel, Saka and Gyok to play at most an hour.
Hincapie?
If Gabriel starts over Hincapie it’s negligence
Not comfortable changing the whole backline. Hincapie has just returned from injury too so I think Gabriel may have to be involved at some point.
I guess the other route is going Calafiori over Gabriel at CB.
I 100% expect Hincapie to start tomorrow, it’s the perfect time.
I think it all depends on his physical condition and what the physios think is a safe amount for him to play. He hasn’t played more than 8 minutes in a match since August 23rd so they may prefer to give him 30 minutes rather than 60.
I suspect there’s no intention for Hincapie to play centre half. I think Gabriel will play.
Why wouldn’t there be intention to play a center back as a center back?
Because, I think, we view him as a left back.
Perhaps but for me, 2 out of Calafiori, MLS & Hincapie need to play in this match since Gabriel needs to rest because he was close to being out injured prior to last match.
If Calafiori plays, He deputizes for Gabriel and Hincapie plays as LB. If MLS plays, then Hincapie plays as CB.
Kepa
White - Mossy Q - Hincapie - MLS
Dowman - Norgaard - Rice
Saka - Merino - Trosser
Although all that really matters is Merino starting up front in place of Gyok to give him a day off.
Got a feeling Arteta will pick more first teamers than we’d like.
Kepa;
White, Mosquera, Gabriel, MLS;
Nwaneri, Norgaard, Rice;
Saka, Merino, Trossard
Really do not want to see Rice or Saka. Gabriel should probably sit down as well but with no Rice, Saka, Saliba or Odegaard, he’s the obvious leader.
Arteta will really want to progress here, he won’t want to risk losing that feel-good winning factor. If it takes a couple of first-teamers to prevent that, he’ll do it.
Game day!
More than likely, just hope it doesn’t backfire
I’d like an almost fully rotated team if possible.
Kepa
White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly
Norgaard
Nwaneri, Eze
Dowman, Merino, Trossard
Missing it as I’ll hopefully be watching Rovers wrap up the league at the 4th time of asking!