2 weeks Ago By Simon Collings
Mikel Arteta is expected to give some key players a rest when Arsenal play Ipswich . After Wednesday’s famous win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are among those who could be taken out of the team at Portman Road. Arsenal play Crystal Palace next Wednesday and Arteta will want to manage minutes before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Ben White will be one of those hoping to start against Ipswich and he could come in at right-back in place of Jurrien Timber. Kieran Tierney, who last week started his first Premier League match since May 2023, may also be brought into the team on the other flank in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal will be without Jorginho (ribs) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee).
It means there may be fewer changes in midfield than elsewhere on the pitch, although Oleksandr Zinchenko is one player who may come into the side and Mikel Merino could drop in there. “Jorgi is not going to be available yet, he is still struggling with that incident and Ricky [Calafiori] as well probably is not going to be available,” said Arteta. In attack, Arteta may still be wary about Saka’s minutes given he only recently returned from his hamstring injury.
The winger could be on the bench after scoring against Real Madrid, with Ethan Nwaneri an option to replace him. Leandro Trossard is one of those who should get a start, either on the left flank or through the middle as the No9. Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all still sidelined.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Zinchenko, Partey, Merino; Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli Injured: Calafiori (knee), Gabriel (hamstring), Havertz (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Jorginho (ribs), Tomiyasu (knee) Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Kacurri, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Saka, Sterling and Trossard Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday April 20, 2025 Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich Referee: Chris Kavanagh How to watch: Sky Sports.
