Arsenal set to leave Viktor Gyokeres clear transfer reminder with ambitious Mikel Arteta plan

With nothing to play for in the Premier League, really, except pride, one manager said earlier this week after an enormous win in Europe, that they would play the kids in order to rest key players for the upcoming semi-finals. It wasn't Mikel Arteta. '

“It’s not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play because they need a strong base to really show what they can do, but in this moment we need to do it,” said Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim. “And sometimes you have surprises."

Whereas United could still finish as low as 17th - and that is an embarrassingly stark possibility with six matches left and a focus elsewhere - Newcastle United are on their tails and have no other distractions.

They are on the verge of sealing qualification for the competition next season via a confirmed position in the top five and are not in the scrap to finish in those places.

Instead, as was clear last weekend when Arteta chose to rest a handful of regular starters for the visit of Brentford, priorities are elsewhere. Arsenal can and already have placed their eggs (seasonal pun intended) in the European basket.

Unlike Real Madrid, who have had to fight on three fronts in the past month or so, Arsenal were able to prepare for their two legs without anything else to worry about. Arteta will hope that in seasons to come, his side can balance going deep in multiple competitions as well.

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Usually something gives, though. Madrid have found that. They have slipped up in the La Liga title race and are out of the Champions League as well. They are not favourites for the Copa del Rey either, with a Classico final against Barcelona to come.

Liverpool found things just as tough. Despite being the most dominant and consistent team in England by some distance, they exited the FA Cup in the third round, lost in the Carabao Cup final, and went out of Europe in the last-16. Spin too many plates and some will surely break.

As for Arsenal, injuries have ravaged the squad, leaving three players out for the rest of the season (Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu) They already work with a small group and have found their stocks depleted throughout.

It has made a title push harder than usual and instead, ever since the turn of the year, most of the attention has been on the Champions League. Arteta never went as far as conceding the title to Liverpool, but his selection against Brentford was a late white flag of surrender. Everton seven days prior said the same.

Forget the result, Arsenal had more than one eye on the Santiago Bernabeu. With a 3-0 lead and an unexpectedly strong opportunity to reach the final four, it is no surprise. Even with Liverpool relenting in results and performances, it was always a step too far for Arsenal to draw back the sizeable gap.

They showed their hand the week before Brentford as well, leaving Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, and Jurrien Timber to be substitutes at Goodison Park. Arteta rotated similarly in north London two days ahead of flying to Madrid.

There is a bigger gap now before PSG come to town. The first leg will not be played until the final week of April. Crystal Palace's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium also means that the weekend before PSG, Arsenal will be out of action.

Instead, they will play on April 23 rather than 26.

. "We still have six games to play in the Premier League, which are going to be really important," Arteta said after Brentford. "But for sure now it's all about winning [the Champions League]."

This steely focus on what is ahead says plenty for the sort of determined head coach that Arteta is.

A manager who is able to manage complex situations is a huge draw for a player. Viktor Gyokeres, for example, will need to know that he is going to get the requisite minutes if he was to sign.

He will no doubt be keeping an eye on Arsenal and the Champions League.

Arteta's next few weeks could impact exactly how the summer goes for Gyokeres, it is no exaggeration to say that. On Sunday, the XI he picks against Ipswich will be revealing in many ways.

It will show just how far ahead Arteta is looking and could also give some hints as to what he is testing out.

"We have a few options and we're not going to give anything away," Arteta told reporters. "It will be down to the availability of players in that moment. So, who is available, who is able as well to do that, for how long in-game. Because I know we have players that they could not play 90 minutes. So once we are closer to that game, we can decide."

In terms of using the next two games as practice, as opposed to totally rotating the ensure full fitness and taking the safety first approach, he added that "As always, [it is] a balance."

Arteta explained: "Understanding what the priorities are. The priority is one or is it another? And then as well, making sure that players are comfortable and feeling the position that they have to play in such a big match. But as I said, the priority now is to win in the Premier League."

As is normal, he gave very little away. Whether that includes tactical tweaks in midfield, mass resting of the most prized players, or trying to keep a hot streak going, it will say a lot for just where his mind is at and delivers a statement of intent to the squad and wider footballing world.

If Arsenal go for the kill against Ipswich then it is a lethal side to Arteta. If he rests then the Champions League priority is totally understandable and demonstrates just where the club are at - which is another impressive feat to show off to potential new players. And if there are experiments in midfield then it will be a foresight into Arteta's ingenuinity.

Each of these is as impressive as the next. Having the freedom in the latter part of the season to make these decisions is a privilege, and Arsenal need to take advantage.