Arsenal have confirmed a huge blow with Bukayo Saka not named in their starting XI for today’s match against Manchester City.
Saka was forced off in France on Tuesday and is not even on the bench at the Emirates Stadium, although Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey are.
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Speaking on Friday, Arteta said: “He is in contention, we'll see how he progresses from here to Sunday. Obviously he had to leave the pitch [against RC Lens], that's never good news, but let's see how he recovers.”
Partey was back on the bench against Lens but the midfielder has not played since the end of August.
Arteta said: “He's ahead of schedule that's for sure. We wanted to have him in the squad if we needed to, the way the game panned out we had other necessities and we didn't use him. He will be in the squad.”
Kai Havertz is only on the bench with Jorginho alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Jorginho; Jesus, Nketiah, Trossard
Subs: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Partey, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Havertz, Nelson, Martinelli
Injuries: Saka, Timber
Time and date: 4.30pm, Sunday, October 8, 2023
Venue: Emirates Stadium
