Arsenal are back in midweek action this week, taking on Slavia Prague in the Czech capital for Champions League gameweek 4. The Gunners currently sit seventh in the table after their draw away to Bayern Munich.
The Champions League is the one trophy every Arsenal fan wants. It is Europe's most prestigious competition, and it has escaped Arsenal throughout their history.
That said, before the international break comes around, this game presents a great opportunity for Mikel Arteta to rotate his squad. Heavy rotation isn't typically his style, but here are nine players who should at least enter his thoughts, and they should get minutes one way or another.
At the top of the pile should be Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish international has been in superb form for the Gunners since the last international break, but he rarely starts. Thankfully, the Champions League has been kind to him in terms of minutes so far this season.
Gyokeres came off the bench in the last Champions League game and made a great impact. He assisted Declan Rice to equalise against Bayern Munich.
Kai Havertz reentered form at Anfield , but Gyokeres should take this one.
Cristhian Mosquera has only played once for Arsenal since August, and if I were him, I'd feel hard done by.
The Spanish defender is one of the most promising young defenders in the game, but he needs minutes to succeed.
Gabriel could do with some rest, but even with all eyes on William Saliba's return , Mosquera is the defender Arsenal could call on here.
We've seen more glimpses of Hincapie lately, which have been nice to see. The Ecuador international recently returned from a spell on the sidelines, and he was brought on late in the Anfield trip.
Hincapie is the kind of defender you turn to when the momentum is against you, which could work in Arsenal's favour on a European away night.
Myles Lewis-Skelly needs no introduction to Arsenal fans; he's one of our best players, after all.
However, Mikel Arteta still seems adamant about the Bruno Guimaraes and Declan Rice midfield partnership. The troubling part is that the partnership doesn't work.
Lewis-Skelly came on at Anfield, and he reclaimed the midfield battle that was swinging out of Arsenal's favour. He brings composure and reassurance to the middle of the park, and he deserves a chance to show why Arteta can't bench him in important matches.
Another Arsenal player who has been starved of minutes this season is Martin Zubimendi. Part of that has been down to injury and fatigue, but mostly it's been due to the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes in the summer (plus Myles Lewis-Skelly being promoted to the midfield).
Nevertheless, Zubimendi the player hasn't changed. He is still the same technically gifted midfield coordinator that Arsenal relied on when he first signed. If he wants to push for a spot in the team again, which benefits everyone, then he needs to be used in opportunities like this one.
Mikel Merino always has versatility on his side, and when Arsenal's plan A doesn't work, they often call upon Merino from the bench. However, he's good enough to start for the Gunners, and the trip to Prague should hand him that opportunity.
Eberechi Eze didn't start at Anfield, but he was on the bench. His availability for the Slavia game remains to be seen, but even if he is a used sub from the bench, it's still enough to give him momentum before the international break.
Max Dowman didn't have the easiest week last time out. He was sent off against Fleetwood Town, serving a suspension that carried into the Anfield trip.
Dowman is available for selection in the Champions League, and he's already proven in his short career so far that he's more than up to standard. It would be great to see him in the starting lineup against Slavia.
Again, Ben White needs no introduction to Arsenal fans, but whenever Jurrien Timber is fit, White tends to take on a rotational role.
Well, thankfully for the Arsenal cult hero, tomorrow night is one of those games where he can afford to be rotated in.
This article was originally published on www.paininthearsenal.com as 9 Arsenal players who deserve a rare opportunity to prove themselves against Slavia .
