David Raya is a doubt for Arsenal’s home match against Leicester (Image: Getty)
are nursing a long injury list ahead of their meeting with this afternoon (Saturday). , and are just the latest trio to encounter fitness trouble, while the likes of and Mikel Merino are long-term absentees.
With a handful of players on the cusp of a full recovery, manager faces a tough call regarding how to set out his side, and which players are worth risking.
Here, Express Sport takes you through how the Gunners are likely to line up on home turf…
Arsenal’s predicted XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Neto
Raya has made a barnstorming start to the season but a thigh issue forced him to miss Wednesday’s EFL Cup win over Bolton. And Arteta has not given much away since, saying in his pre-Leicester press conference: “We have to wait to see if it’s looking good or not that good.”
In Neto, who signed in the summer on loan from Bournemouth, the Gunners have an experienced goalkeeper. It may be wise for Arteta to use him and make sure Raya is 100-per-cent fit before next week’s Paris Saint-Germain showdown.
Defence: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
White also missed the Bolton thrashing but Arteta has confirmed that he should be available to face the Foxes, paving the way for a start at right-back. The situation on the left is more complicated.
Timber has been superb so far this campaign and he is back in training after missing the midweek cup game. But with also doing well when called upon, and Timber still easing his way back in, selecting the Italian against Leicester and phasing Timber back in for PSG makes more sense.
There is no doubt about Arteta’s centre-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes getting the nod.
Jurrien Timber is back in training but could still be rested by Mikel Arteta (Image: Getty)
Midfield: Havertz, Partey, Rice
Captain Odegaard is still out with an ankle injury and summer signing Merino has not yet recovered from a shoulder issue, though Arteta has suggested he could be ready as soon as next weekend.
That leaves Thomas Partey and Declan Rice as the two nailed-on starters in midfield, and is one of the leading candidates to slot in alongside them. The German has been superb up front but a lack of other senior, forward-thinking midfield options may force Arteta’s hand.
Selecting 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri after his two-goal showing against Bolton is also a possibility, which would see Havertz return to his centre-forward role.
Attack: Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
have a more than capable back-up for Havertz in Leandro Trossard. The Belgian can play across the front-line and even in midfield, with tireless running and sharp finishing both core elements of his game.
‘s spot is safe on the right and Gabriel Martinelli should feature on the left, unless Arteta rewards Raheem Sterling for an impressive cup display. Gabriel Jesus is also in the equation but a spell of poor form is likely to see him benched.