Arsenal vs Wolves: 4 interesting selection decisions for Arteta

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta arrives for the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 10, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

3. Choosing One of Emile Smith Rowe or Gabriel Martinelli

Aside from the above there is also an interesting discussion to be had over returning to the 4-3-3 that was used earlier in the season when Granit Xhaka was unavailable.

Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard playing as duel No. 8/10’s didn’t work previously, but Arsenal have improved tremendously with their shape in and out of possession and watching Xhaka as the left-sided No. 8 does make you wonder whether that’s a role waiting for Smith Rowe.

But Xhaka out of the team? Much less likely than Lacazette out of the team.

What is a big selection call for Arteta is whether to bring Martinelli back into the fold ahead of Smith Rowe out on the left. Competition is clearly very healthy for both of them and he’s got a welcome headache to deliberate over between now and Thursday.

After a superb showing from Smith Rowe against Brentford, one capped off with a crucial second half goal, can you leave him out for Thursday?

It’s a fascinating call to make. On the one hand Smith Rowe has taken his opportunity to impress and now should keep his spot, as per competition, while equally there is a reason that Martinelli wrestled his way into the starting lineup for all those matches.

Arteta’s biggest call.

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