Arsenal<\/a>\u2019s battle with the reigning European champions will come into Mikel Arteta\u2019s thinking for the journey to Selhurst Park, the Spaniard likely to make wholesale changes in order to preserve his top talents. <\/p>\n Champions League Final Takes Priority Mikel Arteta will make sweeping changes to his XI. | David Price\/Arsenal FC\/Getty Images<\/p>\n An ultimately meaningless Premier League<\/a> finale allows Arteta to rotate his squad in south London, fringe players likely to come in for their more established positional peers. <\/p>\n The likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel are all likely to be rested with the Champions League final in mind, Arteta leaning on the breadth of his impressive squad. <\/p>\n Peripheral figures such as Max Dowman, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Gabriel Jesus and Christian N\u00f8rgaard could earn rare starts against a Palace team focusing their attention on their own European final with Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League on Wednesday. <\/p>\n Injury-wise, Arteta is still without right backs Ben White and Jurri\u00ebn Timber, while Mikel Merino is another absentee in the engine room. <\/p>\n \u26a0\ufe0f Key absentees, doubts: Mikel Merino, Jurri\u00ebn Timber, Ben White.\ud83d\udd22 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1) Fringe players will be handed opportunities. | FotMob<\/p>\n GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga\u2014Kepa played no part in Arsenal\u2019s Premier League title triumph having been backup to David Raya for 37 gameweeks. A first appearance could arrive at Selhurst Park. <\/p>\n RB: Cristhian Mosquera\u2014Arsenal\u2019s injury issues at right back will have Arteta sweating ahead of the Champions League final against PSG and, in particular, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Mosquera remains their only option in the role for now. <\/p>\n CB: Christian N\u00f8rgaard\u2014N\u00f8rgaard has featured twice at center back for Arsenal this season and could reprise the role against Palace as Arteta looks to rest both William Saliba and Gabriel. <\/p>\n CB: Piero Hincapi\u00e9\u2014Hincapi\u00e9 might not earn a rest ahead of the PSG clash, instead tasked with thwarting powerful center forward duo J\u00f8rgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta.<\/p>\n LB: Riccardo Calafiori\u2014Calafiori has been an important presence for Arsenal when healthy this season and will be desperate to avoid another injury setback ahead of next weekend\u2019s trip to Budapest. <\/p>\n CM: Mart\u00edn Zubimendi\u2014Zubimendi is no longer guaranteed his place in Arsenal\u2019s XI against PSG following the impressive form of Myles Lewis-Skelly. He will hope to remind Arteta of his talents on Sunday. <\/p>\n CM: Myles Lewis-Skelly\u2014The teenager has emerged as a midfield option for Arteta in recent weeks and has caught the eye in helping Arsenal get over the line in the Premier League. <\/p>\n RW: Noni Madueke\u2014Bukayo Saka\u2019s recent return from injury has forced Madueke back to the bench, but the Englishman enters Sunday\u2019s game buoyed by his appearance in England\u2019s 2026 World Cup squad<\/a>. <\/p>\n AM: Max Dowman\u2014Dowman is comfortable as an attacking midfielder or winger, and the Premier League\u2019s youngest-ever winner will be seeking his second Arsenal goal at Palace. <\/p>\n LW: Gabriel Martinelli\u2014Martinelli\u2019s endured a disappointing season despite Arsenal\u2019s success, with just a solitary goal in 29 Premier League appearances. <\/p>\n ST: Gabriel Jesus\u2014Sunday might well be Jesus\u2019s final ever appearance for Arsenal. The Brazilian, who could depart this summer, is not guaranteed to feature in the Champions League final. <\/p>\n![\"Mikel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01ks2qx36qwz21ekrtjt.jpg\" "\\"Mikel")
<\/p>\n![\"Arsenal](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/si\/01ks7jvd2e2tqmxkc0d7.jpg\" "\\"Arsenal")
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