Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester United: Predicted starting XI — Rest and rotation

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final leg one match between Arsenal FC and Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Calum Chambers
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Calum Chambers of Arsenal and Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United battle for possession during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St. James Park on April 15, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Centre-Halves

I do not know how keen Wenger will be rest to his players. The weekend prior, for instance, Wenger wanted to play a strong team as to help them grow in understanding with one another ahead of the Atletico tie. That decision suggested to me that fatigue was, and perhaps still isn’t, an issue.

That said, the priorities are plain, and if there is any indication that the starting players would be better served by not playing against United, I am sure that Wenger would not hesitate in making the switch. I am of the thinking that rest and recovery is now the most important thing. I also think that Wenger will want to give some young players a chance to earn invaluable experience playing away from home against one of the best teams in the country.

As a result, at centre-half, I expect Wenger to make a straight switch: Laurent Koscielny, who is dealing with an ailing Achilles, and Shkodran Mustafi out for young pair Calum Chambers and Rob Holding who will be chomping at the bit to prove themselves.