William Saliba has passed a late fitness test for Arsenal’s trip to Burnley in the Premier League this afternoon.
The defender injured his ankle in last week’s win over Crystal Palace, when he was forced off at half-time.
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Saliba missed the 2-0 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and was a doubt for this afternoon’s game at Turf Moor.
“Saliba, we have to wait and see,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said on Friday. “We have another training session this afternoon.”
Gabriel Martinelli will definitely miss the game against Burnley due to a thigh issue, and Arsenal are also still without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke.
The quartet are all sidelined with knee injuries, but Havertz, Madueke and Odegaard may return in time the north London derby against Tottenham on November 23.
“[I am] excited because they are tremendous players. I see them work every single day, how desperate they are to be part of the team,” said Arteta.
“[It will be] a huge boost for the squad to have those players available again after such a long, long time. So, really happy that I think it is going to be very soon.”
Arteta made 10 changes for Arsenal’s win over Brighton in midweek and has repeated the trick with Eberechi Eze the sole survivor.
David Raya returns in goal, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori reinstated as the full-backs.
Gabriel plays in the heart of defence, partnered by Saliba. Martin Zubimendi was given a full rest on Wednesday, while Declan Rice was a second-half substitute.
In attack, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
Confirmed team news
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman
