Whilst Mikel Arteta was coy on the state of his squad for the coming fixture against Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi will also be dealing with injury issues of his own. Having been reported on Thursday that both Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba would face the rest of the season out, Arteta refused to confirm the news.
"We have another session tomorrow before the Brighton game," he said. "We’re trying to get players back before that day. With William it’s for sure he’s not gonna be fit for this game and we’re doubting him for next game."
Whereas with Zinchenko the Spaniard flat out refused to rule out his inclusion, saying simply, "no," when asked if the left-back is confirmed as being out for the last three games.
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The Gunners know that they have little choice but to plough on regardless of the potential four point gap to leaders Manchester City heading into the game. Pep Guardiola's side still have to contend with the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid as well as matches against Everton, Brighton, Chelsea and Brentford.
The Seagulls, who suffered a blow to their faint hopes in a 5-1 hammering by Everton, will have to compete at the Emirates Stadium without their own stars, though. "For the last five games we won't have many players and we will have to organise step by step," De Zerbi explained.
"We are not in such good condition but we will decide on the squad tomorrow. Solly March, Adam Webster won't be available for Sunday, but Evan Ferguson is."
March was ruled out with a hamstring problem picked up in the loss to Everton. As for if he can play against this season: "Difficult question. Difficult to answer," he said. "I hope he can start the last two games [against Manchester City and Aston Villa].
"I want to understand if Joel Veltman can play. If he can't, I have to play another right-back." Brighton have already moved between Moises Caicedo and Pascal Gross as unorthodox defenders in recent weeks.
They are also without without Veltman (hamstring), Jakub Moder (ACL), Adam Lallana (hamstring), Tariq Lamptey (knee), and Jeremy Sarmiento (metatarsal).
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