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Football London
Football London
Sport
Chris Wheatley

Mikel Arteta's strongest Arsenal line-up vs Leeds as Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny miss out

Arsenal's injury list continues to grow longer ahead of the clash against Leeds United.

The Gunners travel to Elland Road on Sunday for an important Premier League clash.

As a result, there could be several fresh faces in the Arsenal line-up.

Here is how it could potentially look at the weekend...

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Bernd Leno will continue in goal and the shot stopper was an unused substitute for Germany's 3-1 win over Ukraine in the Nations League.

In defence, Arteta is likely to choose between Rob Holding and David Luiz to partner the ever-impressive Gabriel at centre back.

Holding, who has only recently returned from injury, had a tough time against Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley during the defeat to Aston Villa before the international break, and the experience of Luiz could be favoured for what is a tricky away match.

Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney will also start in defence and the latter impressed in his natural left-back role for Scotland on Sunday as he helped secure qualification for a major tournament for the first time in 20 years.

Thomas Partey sustained two separate injuries in the game against Villa - a knock to the ankle and a thigh strain, leaving Arsenal sweating on his fitness. Unfortunately it was confirmed on Friday morning that he will not have recovered in time for Sunday's match.

Mohamed Elneny celebrates alongside Joe Willock ((Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))

Mohamed Elneny misses out after testing positive for COVID-19 during international duty with Egypt and it's expected that the midfielder will stay in his homeland until he tests negative again.

With those midfield doubts, Arteta could look to give Joe Willock an opportunity after his stand-out performances in the recent Europa League matches against Dundalk and Molde.

Granit Xhaka will almost certainly start after another domineering match in midfield for Switzerland and Dani Ceballos is likely to feature too.

The other dilemma presenting itself to Arteta is the front three. Nicolas Pepe could face his former boss Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday, with Willian and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang usually favoured in attack by Arteta.

Alexandre Lacazette's performances have dwindled of late and he could be one to make way for Pepe in the starting line-up.

While the midfield could be depleted for the weekend's game, Arteta still has the required resources to put together a dangerous team that can trouble Leeds.

Possible starting eleven: Leno; Bellerin, Gabriel, Luiz, Tierney; Xhaka, Willock, Ceballos; Pepe, Willian, Aubameyang.

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