Arsenal are once again without three key players for tonight’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard is still out with a knee injury that he picked up in September when playing for Norway. Mikel Arteta’s side also must cope again with the absences of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, after both missed training on Monday afternoon.
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Saka has been struggling with a hamstring injury that he picked up playing for England during the recent international break. The winger was forced during England’s defeat to Greece on October 10 and missed the Three Lions’ win over Finland three days later.
Timber has been out since the start of this month with what Arteta has confirmed is a muscular problem. The defender missed Arsenal’s win over Southampton on October 5 and he has not played for them since.
Arsenal slumped to their first defeat of the season last weekend after they were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth.
Arteta tweaks his team after that loss, although the back-four stays the same. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus both come into the side, as Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling drop to the bench, and Kai Havertz moves into a deeper role.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Setford, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Monlouis, Robinson, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji
Time and date: 8pm BST on Tuesday, October 22, 2024Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Benoit Bastien
TV channel and live stream: Amazon Prime