Arsenal may be without both of their first-choice centre-backs as they face off against a high-flying Newcastle side this Sunday. In what is a massive game for both sides, Mikel Arteta may be without both William Saliba and Gabriel, for his sides trip to Tyneside.
Gabriel is the latest of Arsenal’s injury woes having limped off in the Gunners 3-1 over Chelsea mid-week, with a suspected ankle problem. The Arsenal boss spoke to the media today and provided an update regarding the Brazilian’s fitness.
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“We will have to see tomorrow how he is, but yeah he could not finish the game so that was a big sign for us," Arteta said. "We’ll have to see how he is tomorrow.”
Clearly not wanting to give too much away Arteta will know better than anyone, how important Gabriel is to this Arsenal side. Starting every single league game this season, the Brazilian’s consistency at the back will be a huge miss, if he is deemed not fit enough to play.
Gabriel however is not the only defensive injury Mikel Arteta has had to deal with in recent weeks with William Saliba currently on the treatment table with a back injury. It was hoped that the Frenchman would return before the end of the season but that now looks unlikely with Mikel Arteta telling the press.
“Not a lot of progress. He’s [Saliba] feeling better every day but he’s not been able still to have any activity around the first team so we don’t expect him to be with us,” said Arteta.
“It’s about the healing process. Pain-wise and the things he can do now off the pitch he’s in a good place. But we have to build that capacity to have the right impact, the right load and to be in good condition to play for the team.
Despite Mikel Arteta having no other significant injuries to worry about, he will now have the difficult task of choosing his centre back partnership. January signing - Jakub Kiwior, who filled in for Saliba mid-week, could be in for a shout to start after impressing against the Blues.
If Gabriel is deemed unfit, the Polish international will likely be joined at centre-half by Rob Holding, who has featured in the place of Saliba in recent weeks. Newcastle transfer target Kieran Tierney may also be within a shout of starting, with Oleksandr Zinchenko struggling defensively in recent weeks.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Holding, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
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