Partey starts, Saka replaces Odegaard and several rested – Arsenal line-ups vs Bournemouth

Arsenal take on Bournemouth in what is certainly seen by most supporters as purely a distraction from the almighty task of going to Paris and turning around their one-goal deficit.

Should either of Chelsea or Nottingham Forest lose and Arsenal win then they have confirmed entrance for a third season running.

With that in mind, football.london’s writers have given their views on who should start for the club as they look to take on the Cherries. From a strong pick to rotation galore, we have the spectrum of views this week.

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Tom Canton

I am in experimental mode, slightly. Well, it comes based off how Mikel Arteta decided to end the game against PSG in midweek when he finally took off Martin Odegaard after yet another disappointing performance.

He moved Bukayo Saka inside with Ethan Nwaneri operating more so on the right hand side. This allowed Saka to be more involved with the play and Nwaneri become the isolated figure and there were signs it could work and so that is what I have gone with here.

Mainly though, I have gone strong. Thomas Partey tends not to have the best of games after lay-offs and so he comes in for preparation reasons with only Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White the other changes as Mikel Merino moves up top to replace Leandro Trossard.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth – Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Saka, Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli

Lee Wilmot

Let's be honest, this weekend's game with Bournemouth does not really matter. It's all about next week's Champions League semi-final second leg, given Arsenal have all-but qualified for next season's competition via the Premier League this season.

If I were Mikel Arteta, I would be making big changes, although there's one I would probably make that he can't and that's in goal. David Raya has to play because the lesser-spotted Neto cannot play against his parent club.

Ahead of Raya, I'd give Ben White the full 90 at right-back, with Kieran Tierney at left-back. There's little choice but to play William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior in the centre.

Thomas Partey should play, to get minutes in his legs ahead of Wednesday, with Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri slotting into the Martin Odegaard role.

Up front, Raheem Sterling is on one flank with Gabriel Martinelli on the other and Leandro Trossard through the middle.

Wilmot's Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Partey, Merino, Nwaneri; Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli