Mikel Arteta had no new update on William Saliba, which rules the defender out of the game, while Granit Xhaka could start for Arsenal.
Arsenal will aim to field their strongest possible lineup for their most crucial game of the season so far. Manchester City will play host at the Etihad, as this could become the title-deciding encounter for both teams as we enter the final part of the season.
The focus of the pre-match press conference was news about William Saliba. The French defender has missed several crucial games since before the international break and will remain out of contention for the foreseeable future.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the centre-back’s absence while refusing to put a time frame on his return. He said, “There’s not been a real improvement, unfortunately for him. So, we are still waiting. We are still hopeful, but obviously, it’s another week that has gone by, and he hasn’t been able to train with the team.”
“Well, at the moment, we don’t have him. We are preparing for this game without him, and the next game; obviously, it’ll probably come too soon as well. We have to go week by week for the moment.”
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Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka, who missed the Southampton game through an illness, has yet to start training, per Arteta. For now, the manager cast him as a doubt on his availability. Arteta continued, “Granit has been out. Hopefully, he will be able to train today, but he’s still a doubt.”
Considering Xhaka trains a day before the game, there are high chances for Artrta to select him if he shows fitness. Otherwise, the manager might have to tweak the left midfield position to something different than he did last Friday.
In goal, Aaron Ramsdale will look to redeem himself from the costly error at the Emirates. Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko will keep their full-back roles, while Rob Holding will continue to partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the defence. Thomas Partey will start at the base of midfield, with Martin Odegaard on his right.
The left midfield role remains up for debate, with Arteta finding a potential solution by playing Leandro Trossard after the break against Southampton. If Xhaka is fit, he will start, and Trossard could find himself on the bench. Arteta might not look to change his front three, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli forming the attacking setup.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Ben White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
