The Premier League returns this weekend following a two-week break for international football.
League-leaders Arsenal, who currently sit eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City, welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners will be without right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and central midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who have both suffered injuries that will rule them out for the remainder of the season.
However, there are some players who remain doubts ahead of the crucial fixture and below football.london takes a look at the three first-team stars that Mikel Arteta will be sweating over ahead of this weekend's action.
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Thomas Partey
First-choice holding midfielder Thomas Partey has suffered a plethora of injury issues during his time in north London. The 29-year-old has missed a total of 33 matches since joining the Gunners back in October 2020.
Partey now has a fresh injury worry after being left out of Ghana's starting line-up for Monday's clash against Angola. The Black Stars boss Chris Hughton confirmed it isn't a serious issue, however.
"Thomas has some small issues, a small injury issue and we felt it was too big of a risk to start him," Hughton said when asked why the former Atletico Madrid man was on the bench for the AFCON qualifier. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be fit to face Leeds on Saturday.
William Saliba
Since returning from his loan spell with Marseille, young defender William Saliba has been a mainstay in Arteta's starting line-up. In fact, the French international has started all but one of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures this term, with his one absence coming in their most recent outing, a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Saliba missed the match against the Eagles after picking up a lower back injury three days prior during a Europa League clash against Sporting CP. Arteta said at the time that he was hoping the injury wasn't a serious one, although we haven't had any updates on the 22-year-old since.
"We hope Willy [Saliba] is going to be better news", the Spaniard said earlier this month after discussing Tomiyasu's aforementioned injury. "Again We have to wait to tomorrow to get a better picture."
Eddie Nketiah
Young striker Eddie Nketiah filled in for Gabriel Jesus admirably when the Brazilian international was sidelined for the best part of four months. Jesus has since returned to full fitness but it is now Nketiah that is on the treatment table.
The Hale End academy graduate suffered an ankle injury earlier this month and football.london reported a fortnight ago that the Gunners will now be without the prolific centre-forward until after the international break — late March to early April.
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