Declan Rice missed Arsenal’s midweek Carabao Cup clash
Arsenal face a quick turnaround before another clash with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday as a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick fired them to a 3-2 win over Palace at the Emirates.
And both sides are at it again – this time at Selhurst Park on Saturday – with both hoping to build on their impressive league form in recent weeks.
A 3-1 win over rivals Brighton extended Palace’s unbeaten run to five games in the league, while Arteta’s side have not lost any of their last nine in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the start of November.
Despite their good run, the Gunners continued to be hampered with injuries, with several key players facing a race to be fit for Saturday’s match.
Declan Rice remains a doubt after he was withdrawn early in the second half against Everton last Saturday, with Arteta insisting he was ‘fine’ but revealing the England international ‘felt something’ before coming off.
‘He has been with a little niggle for the last week or so. He asked to be subbed in that moment, so we have to do it,’ Arteta said last Saturday.
The midfielder was left out of the squad for the midweek cup clash, with his manager offering no clues as to his potential return date after the win on Wednesday night.
In defence, Arsenal are still dealing with a number of absentees as Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko work their way back to fitness.
Calafiori has missed the side’s last five games with a groin injury, while Zinchenko is dealing with a muscle injury.
Arsenal’s potential starting XI for Saturday’s clash (Picture: Getty)
With neither named in the matchday squad in midweek, Myles Lewis-Skelly looks set to return at left-back having impressed in his first league start last weekend.
Elsewhere, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain long-term absentees with both unlikely to return imminently to Arsenal’s defence.
Otherwise, Arteta may be forced to consider some tactical tweaks, particularly given his side’s tame display against Everton last weekend.
Jesus’ hat-trick was much-needed but the Brazillian will likely have to prove himself a more reliable goalscorer before usurping Kai Havertz as the first-choice striker.
Leandro Trossard enjoyed a productive second half in midweek and could keep his place in the starting XI instead of Gabriel Martinelli, while Thomas Partey could return to his central midfield role to replace Mikel Merino.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Crystal Palace
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Rice, Partey, Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Where to watch Crystal Palace vs Arsenal? Kick-off time and TV channel
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 21. The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with viewers also able to catch the action on Sky Go and NowTV.
