Arsenal manager Arteta ‘won’t rotate players’ ahead PSG clash

Mikel Arteta says he is not planning to rotate his squad before Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain next week.

The Gunners will face PSG in the second leg of the semifinal in Paris next Tuesday.

However, tonight they meet Crystal Palace in a must-win Premier League clash.

A win for Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium tonight would confirm Liverpool as 2024/25 Premier League champions – but Arteta is keen to delay the Reds’ title party for as long as possible.

While Arteta maintains he will be “sensible with decision-making”, he feels rhythm is more important than rest and when asked about the prospect of wholesale changes against Palace, he told the club’s official website: “We cannot think in those terms.

“I think when the players are fit and they are available and they want to play, they have to play.

“They are at their best when they are playing and they have consistency in their performances. Physically they are good, and emotionally they are good – their understanding and their rhythm and the way they make decisions is at their best. And that’s why we need the players.

“If they are not available, there’s no discussion. And if they are not in good condition to perform, we’re not going to play them. If they are, we are going to play them.”

On Liverpool getting ready to celebrate the title, Arteta added: “Our incentive is to win our game and do our best to continue with the round that we are in right now. The rest we cannot control.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans must wait to find out if Bukayo Saka will take part tonight after the winger was forced off during the club’s 4-0 Premier League win at Ipswich Town on Sunday.