Mikel Arteta risking nightmare Champions League scenario with bold strategy vs Bournemouth

Mikel Arteta would be taking a huge gamble by resting players against . In fact, it would be far greater risk to give them a break rather than play them ahead of the semi final second leg with

Maybe ’s recent results, the table and drop off in form has escaped a few people’s attention. Arsenal still sit second, but the gap has closed to such an extent that they have not got top five nailed down just yet.

It would be one hell of a collapse for Arsenal to blow it and the saving grace may be that others in the race play each other so will drop points. have to play , and before the end of the season which means they cannot all win all of their games.

But Arsenal could easily lose their next three games when you consider they are Bournemouth, Liverpool at Anfield and then Champions League-chasing Newcastle who have already beaten them THREE TIMES already this season (including twice in the Carabao Cup).

That would leave Arsenal potentially needing to win at on the final day of the season to guarantee Champions League football.

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Easy? Well, that’s the sort of arrogant attitude which would see Southampton fired up to ensure they get points to ensure they don’t finish as the joint worst team in Premier League history.

Arsenal’s form has been shocking of late. And you cannot turn performances on and off like a tap. If you do that, it will ultimately see them drop - and drop off so they then lose in Paris like they did at the Emirates.

Arsenal have now dropped points in 16 of their 34 Premier League games this season. And they are supposed to be title challengers? That’s laughably bad.

They have also surrendered a lead on nine occasions out of the 13 draws this season, including their Palace rested a couple but actually went stronger than most people suspected, played well and got a result to leave them full of confidence to go and batter in the semi final.

What team should Arsenal play vs Bournemouth?

So, there should be a lesson there for Arsenal. If they rest players or go into the Bournemouth game, they will get stuffed. Bournemouth are excellent and have already beaten Arsenal this season.

Arsenal boss Arteta has been guilty of overplaying and overtraining players this season and that is a big issue when you actually need them fresh and injury free for the run-in and when you really need them to be playing every week.

Arsenal started against Palace and it did not work. Riccardo Calafiori has been a disaster of a signing because at £42m he was a huge investment, looks a terrific player but the best quality in any player is availability.

He’s been injured so much this season and - guess what? - he was injury-prone in Italy before he moved to Arsenal. So I get that they have not had much scope to rest and rotate.

But they should field their strongest XI against Bournemouth because they need a win. To drop points now would mean could easily usurp them for second place.

And we’ve spent all season saying that City have had a nightmare season. If they finish below City then it will be a complex after finishing as runners-up to two years running.

They will also be sweating on their Champions League place and need to go to Paris on a high, not feeling flat after more dropped points.

If that means fielding , William Saliba and all of the big guns then so be it. Maybe could come in for Jurrien Timber who looks jaded and in need of a rest. But that’s it. Otherwise, Arsenal will blow it.

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