Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: Arteta rotates

Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday for the final Premier League game of the season as confirmed champions, with Mikel Arteta set to make wholesale changes to his lineup as he protects his key players ahead of next weekend’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

The title was confirmed on Tuesday evening when Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, ending a 22-year wait for Arsenal and triggering celebrations across north London. Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace is effectively a dead rubber, and with a Champions League final against PSG just seven days away, Arteta has every reason to leave Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel on the bench while handing opportunities to fringe players who have seen limited action across the course of a historic campaign.

Crystal Palace, for their part, will also have one eye elsewhere. Oliver Glasner’s side face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on Wednesday, meaning both managers have reasons to treat this fixture as preparation rather than competition. Arteta, though, will still want his side to perform with professionalism and give several players the send-off they deserve from a remarkable season.

Arsenal injury news vs Crystal Palace

Arteta remains without both right-backs ahead of the final day, with Ben White and Jurrien Timber both sidelined. Cristhian Mosquera continues as the only available option in that position, a situation the manager will need to resolve before the PSG final. Mikel Merino is the third confirmed absentee, his injury running on into the final week of the domestic campaign.

Out: Ben White (MCL), Jurrien Timber (groin), Mikel Merino (unspecified)

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: player by player

Kepa Arrizabalaga: The Spanish goalkeeper has not made a single Premier League appearance across the entire title-winning season, serving as backup to David Raya for all 37 gameweeks. Sunday at Selhurst Park could be his first and only league appearance of the campaign.

Cristhian Mosquera: No choice here. With both White and Timber unavailable, Mosquera remains Arsenal’s only recognised right-back option. His handling of the role in these final weeks will inform how Arteta approaches the Kvaratskhelia problem at the PSG final.

Christian Nørgaard: The Danish midfielder has featured twice at centre-back this season and is expected to reprise the role on Sunday, allowing Arteta to rest both William Saliba and Gabriel ahead of Budapest.

Piero Hincapie: Unlike some of his teammates, Hincapie may not get the full rest he might have expected, with Arteta potentially keeping him sharp ahead of the final given the threat Crystal Palace pose through Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Riccardo Calafiori: Back in the left-back role after Hincapie’s recent run, Calafiori will be eager to avoid any injury setback on what is likely to be a relaxed occasion domestically. His availability for Budapest is important.

Martin Zubimendi: The Spaniard is no longer guaranteed his starting place in the Champions League final following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence over recent weeks. Sunday is an opportunity to remind Arteta of what he offers in a controlled environment.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: The teenager has been one of the stories of Arsenal’s title run, forcing his way into the midfield picture with performances that have made him very difficult to leave out. He keeps his place here.

Noni Madueke: Saka’s return from injury pushed Madueke back to the bench in recent weeks, but the Englishman has been included in England’s 2026 World Cup squad and will be eager to end the domestic season with a positive performance.

Max Dowman: The Premier League’s youngest-ever winner will be looking for his second Arsenal goal on Sunday. Dowman is comfortable both as an attacking midfielder and from wide positions, giving Arteta flexibility in the front three.

Gabriel Martinelli: A difficult season by his own standards, with just one Premier League goal in 29 appearances. Sunday offers Martinelli a chance to finish the domestic campaign on a more positive note before the main event in Budapest.

Gabriel Jesus: Sunday could represent Jesus’s final appearance in an Arsenal shirt. The Brazilian forward, who may depart this summer and is not guaranteed a place in the Champions League final squad, will be motivated to make an impression if this is his goodbye.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Mosquera, Norgaard, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly; Madueke, Dowman, Martinelli; Jesus.