Arsenal could remain unchanged from the weekend when they host PSG in the UEFA Champions League, as there is also a double injury boost.
The open training sessions at Arsenal had some familiar faces returning to action, while there was a surprise inclusion for the entire session. Mikel Merino took part in full training, which will resemble a boost for Mikel Arteta, although the midfielder’s return was only predicted for late October.
During the pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta confirmed no fresh concerns with injuries, despite some rumours in the aftermath of the Leicester City win. He said, “No news. We have a training session this afternoon, and we have to review a few players, but overall, especially [anyone] returning, there’s nothing to give back.”
The big rumour was surrounding Riccardo Calafiori, who was seen with a compression sleeve on his knee, which was promoted as a strapping of some sort. In any case, Arteta addressed the concern by adding his own little humour and providing news on Ben White, who missed the weekend’s action.
Arteta said, “Those are the two players that are in contention and we have to review today. We didn’t do any training sessions yesterday, [Riccardo] was a bit emotional after the game, so let’s see how he is today.”
Calafiori was in training alongside Merino, while Arsenal appeared to have a full complement of their squad, barring Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, and Ben White. The Gunners skipper is still someway from making a return, while the latter was left out of training, probably as part of his load management after a recent niggle.
Arteta is unlikely to change anything from the weekend’s lineup when Arsenal host PSG at the Emirates on Tuesday, meaning everyone who started against Leicester City will begin the clash against PSG at the Emirates. David Raya proved his fitness over the weekend and is in line to start on Tuesday. The back four will remain the same.
Barring Arteta’s decision to bring Ben White into the fold, the likely indication is that Jurrien Timber will again play the right-back role. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are the preferred options at the heart of the defence, with Riccardo Calafiori expected to feature at left-back.
Arteta will continue with the same 4-4-2 setup, handing Leandro Trossard the free role in the side, while Kai Havertz will focus more on leading the line. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will hold the width in the side, while Thomas Partey and Declan Rice will have the midfield together.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Saka, Partey, Rice, Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
