Arsenal don’t have much to play for in the Premier League – they are 12 points behind Liverpool, 10 clear of fifth-placed Manchester City – so Arteta has the option to rest players ahead of their big night at the Emirates. In the medium term, he wants a bigger squad next season to deal with the increasing demands of modern football.

With plenty of rest on the back end of the March international break to lean on, Arsenal get back underway as they host Fulham in Premier League action on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium.