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Mikel Arteta could make as many as eight changes against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round as Arsenal look to take on their opponents and rest for their league responsibilities.
The FA Cup comes at what could be argued to be the best and worst times for Arsenal. Having been held to a draw by Brentford on Thursday in a game which could have easily been lost, some might argue that you just want to play the next league match and get back to winning ways.
Others would say that a game against lower league Wigan Athletic is the perfect remedy for the team's mindset and freshness, too, before the trip to Wolves next midweek and then the North London Derby.
The FA Cup is somewhat of a strange one for Arsenal at present. The Gunners have reached the Carabao Cup final and have a great chance of lifting the cup against Manchester City to give themselves a major psychological boost in the title race.
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The Premier League and Champions League are by far greater priorities and even the League Cup, now having reached the final, is too. But when given back-to-back draws against lower league opposition, having beaten Portsmouth in the last round, it makes sense to fight to stay in, rather than give up.
That said, with it being, with all due respect, Wigan, who sit in the bottom three of League One, Mikel Arteta can and should make major changes and rest his squad while still having the quality to win the game.
In fact, I would argue he could make eight changes from the side that drew with Brentford. Continuing to protect others and ease back in Bukayo Saka with perhaps another late substitute appearance.
Marli Salmon has made his debut in the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup this season. He could come in too and allow Myles Lewis-Skelly to play in midfield, as Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz are out injured, and Martin Odegaard looked hurt during the clash in west London this week.
Eberechi Eze is in desperate need of a good performance, while Ben White is in need of exposure. Arteta needs to make changes and go through, and can achieve both quite comfortably.
Arsenal changed XI vs Wigan Athletic: Kepa; Salmon, White, Mosquera, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
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