Arsenal Faces Possible Absence of Eight First-Team Players Against Burnley
Arsenal could potentially be without eight key first-team players for their match against Burnley. Emile Smith Rowe (knee), Jurrien Timber (knee), and Thomas Partey (thigh) are confirmed to be unavailable for the game at Emirates Stadium. In addition to these absences, the Gunners might also have to cope without Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Martin Odegaard has missed the last two games and faces a race against time to be fit for the weekend clash. Gabriel Jesus has been sidelined since October 24, although he has been called up by Brazil for international qualifiers later this month. Eddie Nketiah missed Wednesday's victory over Sevilla, and with both strikers in doubt, Mikel Arteta may turn to Leandro Trossard to lead the line once again, as he did against Sevilla, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is pushing to step in at left-back and may have the opportunity to do so, especially since Takehiro Tomiyasu picked up a knock and was substituted at halftime during the midweek match.
Bukayo Saka did not participate in training on Thursday following an injury, but he is eager to play and is making efforts to be available.
Predicted Arsenal Starting XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Havertz, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Injured: Partey (thigh), Smith Rowe (knee), Timber (knee)
Doubts: Jesus, Nketiah, Odegaard, Saka, Tomiyasu
Arsenal Squad: Ramsdale, Raya, Hein; Gabriel, Cedric, Kiwior, Saliba, Tomiyasu, White, Zinchenko; Elneny, Havertz, Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice, Vieira; Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson, Nketiah, Saka, Trossard.