How Arsenal could line up against Newcastle without Mikel Merino and Declan Rice | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta facing tactical reshuffle due to suspension and injury

Mikel Arteta is facing some big selection decisions ahead of the Newcastle game on Sunday

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Mikel Arteta faces the prospect of being without nine first-team players when Arsenal host Newcastle in a crucial clash on Sunday.

Arteta has said Kai Havertz could return before the end of the season, but even so it is unlikely he would be fit to start against Newcastle.

Mikel Merino is banned for the Newcastle game after being sent off against Liverpool

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Here, Standard Sport takes a look at how Arsenal could line up for a game that will have a big say in who finishes second in the Premier League this season…

This is where Arteta has the least issues to worry about, even if Arsenal could be without Gabriel, Timber and Tomiyasu.

Jakub Kiwior and William Saliba will continue their partnership in the heart of defence, while Ben White can come in at right-back for Timber if needed.

White missed nearly three months of this season after undergoing knee surgery back in November.

The 27-year-old has gradually been building his minutes up and he has started both of Arsenal’s last two league games.

Myles Lewis-Skelly should continue at left-back, unless Arteta opts to push him into midfield. Arteta could look to do that if he is without Jorginho, Merino and Rice.

If that happens, then Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko or Riccardo Calafiori are all viable options to come into the defence.

Midfield

This is where things start to get a little more complicated given the possibly limited options available to Arteta.

Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey are both fit, but the question is who plays alongside them in midfield if Jorginho, Merino and Rice all miss out.

Declan Rice has suffered a suspected hamstring injury

Action Images via Reuters

Zinchenko has played there in recent months and he has done well, even scoring against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

The Ukrainian has plenty of experience of playing in midfield from earlier in his career and he could operate as a left No8 next to Odegaard.

The fear would be, however, that Newcastle’s midfield is exceptionally physical and a pairing of Odegaard and Zinchenko feels lightweight, even with Partey deployed behind them.

It is why Arteta could be tempted to use Lewis-Skelly in midfield.

The 18-year-old has excelled at left-back this season, but he came through Arsenal’s academy as a midfielder.

Lewis-Skelly would offer more pace and power in the middle of the park, which could be what is needed against Newcastle.

Attack

Merino being suspended is a blow to Arsenal because it weakens them in attack and midfield.

The Spaniard has performed well as an emergency striker since February and his goal against Liverpool was his seventh since then.

Should Trossard miss the Newcastle game, it would leave Arteta short on strikers - especially if he is without Havertz and Jesus.

Gabriel Martinelli would most likely lead the line in their absence after doing so in the second half at Anfield on Sunday.

The Brazilian looked sharp and scored Arsenal’s first goal as they came back from 2-0 down.

Gabriel Martinelli is set to play through the middle against Newcastle

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Martinelli has experience of playing as a No9 from his youth career in Brazil, while Unai Emery also used him there when he first joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019.

Arteta has tipped Ethan Nwaneri as a future striker, but his minutes have been limited lately. Raheem Sterling could also play as a false nine, however he has also had limited action recently.

Bukayo Saka will play on the right, but Arteta needs someone on the left flank if Martinelli is used through the middle.

Sterling could play there, however Tierney is another credible option after being used as a left winger on several occasions over the past few months.

The Scot, who is set to leave Arsenal when his contract expires this summer, offers defensive solidity as well as the ability to put dangerous crosses in the box.

Possible Arsenal XI to face Newcastle (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Zinchenko; Saka, Martinelli, Tierney