Arsenal vs Portsmouth predicted XI: Rotation, rotation, rotation

Midfield

Again, we have to consider tired legs, and I hope Mikel Arteta does. In the name of being extra fresh when the going gets tough further down the road in the Europa League and the Premier League, resting key players when we have the opportunity—like now—will prove crucial.

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That means no Granit Xhaka and no Dani Ceballos. Unless something goes horribly, horribly wrong, but I don’t see why it would.

Meaning that we really only have one other option, and to be fair, it’s still a damn good option. We will have Lucas Torreira out there, still seeking to settle into life in North London, and we will have Matteo Guendouzi, still clawing to reestablish himself after what has been a disappointing season thus far.

Again, there is no reason we shouldn’t have confidence in these two doing the job. Unai Emery used to run with these guys in the Premier League and it was never much of an issue. So let’s just see all of that again.