HISTORIC DAY! Arsenal Lineups Vs Crystal Palace As Mikel Arteta Makes 11 Changes

The only exception for me comes in the form of Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly and potentially Piero Hincapie.

Mosquera needs more time to practice playing the right-back role, which he is favourite to start in, with both Ben White and Jurrien Timber missing. Lewis-Skelly and Hincapie form the left side of the back line – although I was tempted with Marcell Washington, who is an exciting player from the youth team too, but was not training with the senior squad ahead of the weekend.

Mikel Merino gets an important start in midfield with Christian Norgaard getting his first start of the league season. Max Dowman and Marli Salmon both start alongside league debutant, goalkeeper Tommy Setford, between the sticks.

The forward line is made up of the back-up options for the front three: Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. Rest the team and get ready for the real test in Budapest.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace : Setford; Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Dowman; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli

Our Sports Desk 2;

This is a game where Mikel Arteta must take no risks. Zero. I’ve gone for 11 changes.

It is just not worth the bad feeling that would follow if he was to pick up an injury ahead of the Champions League final.

Play the kids, play whoever, just do not risk losing a key star for PSG because it makes no difference if Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 5-0 or lose 5-0.

Yes, ideally you want to finish a great season off in style but Palace are also preparing for a European final on Wednesday and the game should be played at a leisurely tempo.

Kepa deserves to start in goal, Marli Salmon deserves minutes and so does Christian Norgaard on what could be his last appearance for the Gunners.

Piero Hincapie, who could well start against PSG, should get the nod at centre-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly moving back to left-back.

A start for Mikel Merino might be a tough ask but I’ve thrown him in as he needs minutes before PSG and Max Dowman and Kai Havertz complete a makeshift midfield.

In attack, I’ve got Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks behind Gabriel Jesus.

Taylor’s Arsenal XI vs Crystal Palace : Kepa; Salmon, Norgaard, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Dowman, Havertz; Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus.