Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has named Granit Xhaka in his starting line-up to face Manchester City today.
The Swiss international missed last week’s draw against Southampton through illness and was initially a doubt heading into this huge Premier League title clash.
“Granit has been out,” said Arteta. “Hopefully he will able to train today, but he is still a doubt.”
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Xhaka’s return is a big boost for Arsenal, who are without centre-back William Saliba. The Frenchman has not played for over five weeks after injuring his back and he has not returned to training yet.
“There has not been real improvement unfortunately on him,” said Arteta. “So we are still waiting, we are still hopeful, but obviously it is another week that has gone by and he hasn’t been able to train with the team.”
Saliba’s absence means Rob Holding plays at centre-back again for Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Leandro Trossard was also pushing to start after a bright cameo during the draw with Southampton but remains benched. Long-term absentees Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are still sidelined.
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Turner, Kiwior, Tierney, Jorginho, Nelson, Trossard, Nketiah, Smith Rowe, Vieira.
Wednesday 8pm BST, BT Sport
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver
Arsenal squad from: Hein, Ramsdale, Turner; Gabriel, Holding, Kiwior, Tierney, White, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Trossard, Vieira, Xhaka; Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson and Nketiah.
Injured: Elneny (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), Saliba (back)
