Arsenal head into their midweek clash against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium with several injury concerns and doubts surrounding key players.
The Gunners were already without Mikel Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Thomas Partey during Saturday’s victory over West Ham, a match where Gabriel Magalhães had to be substituted at halftime.
Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to provide an update on the fitness of these players during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
What is certain is that Arsenal will be missing both Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the big match. The full-backs are sidelined with knee injuries and are not close to making a return to action.
This double blow adds to the list of defensive absentees, creating challenges for Arteta as he looks to maintain the team’s momentum.
Despite the injury setbacks, Arsenal have been in scintillating form since returning from the international break last month. The team has won three consecutive matches, scoring an impressive 13 goals in that period.
This run of results may influence Arteta to stick with his winning formula, although there are decisions to be made in terms of personnel.
One possible change could see Gabriel Martinelli reclaim his spot on the left wing, potentially replacing Leandro Trossard. Martinelli’s return would add more dynamism to Arsenal’s attack.
In midfield, Thomas Partey could be in line for a comeback at the base of midfield, provided he is fit. However, Jorginho’s strong performance against West Ham may give Arteta the confidence to persist with the Italian playmaker.
Defensively, the backline has remained consistent over the last three matches, giving the team a settled appearance. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko is pushing for a start after an impressive display off the bench in the victory at the London Stadium. His inclusion would offer Arteta additional flexibility and experience in the defensive setup.
The predicted Arsenal lineup for the game is a 4-3-3 formation featuring David Raya in goal, with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and Luca Calafiori in defense.
The midfield trio is expected to include Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and either Partey or Jorginho. In attack, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli are likely to start.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 PM GMT on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Emirates Stadium. Fans can watch the game live on Amazon Prime Video, with Sam Barrott appointed as the match referee.
Arsenal’s squad options include a mix of experienced players and promising talents, offering Arteta plenty of choices des
pite the injury concerns.