Arsenal will be without William Saliba for the Leeds United clash, while Gabriel Jesus is ready for a start up front.
Arsenal will aim for a seventh straight victory when they host Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners won their sixth game on the trot before the international break, beating Crystal Palace. Mikel Arteta would like to start the title run-in of ten games with a win.
Questions on William Saliba and his fitness dominated the pre-match press conference. Since the second leg against Sporting CP, the Frenchman has been out with a back complaint. And Saliba will miss the weekend’s game, Arteta confirmed.
Arteta said, “He is progressing. He still has some discomfort in his back. We are trying to manage him in the best possible way, but unfortunately, he’s not going to be fit for his game. We are trying – he’s trying to do everything to feel better and get back into training, but not yet.”
“I’m very hopeful and he is as well. Back injuries are a bit tricky with how they evolve and the load that you put in certain areas, but he’s very positive about it. The medical staff are positive about it. Let’s push it every day a little bit and see how he can cope with that, and how the pain develops as well. He’s obviously so willing to be back with the team.”
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There were other scares with Thomas Partey, Leandro Trossard and Kieran Tierney. The trio will likely return to the squad, and probably start on the bench. The Ghanaian midfielder missed the second of his nation’s qualifiers, and there is the potential risk of playing him too soon.
With a visit to Liverpool next, using Jorginho in midfield would appeal to Arteta and allow Partey more time to recuperate. Similarly, the manager could allow Trossard a bit of a breather and keep him on the bench, considering Gabriel Jesus is back to full fitness.
Aaron Ramsdale will start between the posts, with a changed back four ahead of him. Rob Holding will replace Saliba in central defence, with Gabriel Magalhaes alongside him. Ben White will keep his place at right back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left.
Jorginho will hold the midfield together, with Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka on either side of him. Bukayo Saka, fresh from winning the player of the month accolade, will resume playing from the right.
Jesus will start a Premier League game for the first time since recovering from his injury. He will have Gabriel Martinelli in support from the other flank. Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Trossard are the attacking options from the bench, with Eddie Nketiah still a major doubt.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Ben White, Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
