Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is no longer training with the Arsenal first team and Mikel Arteta has confirmed he will not be considered for selection against Leeds.
Aubameyang is not expected to play for Arsenal again before he returns from representing Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from January 9 to February 6.
The forward was this week stripped of the Arsenal captaincy for what Arteta described as his latest “disciplinary breach”.
In his absence at Elland Road, Alexandre Lacazette continues leading the line in an unchanged team while also donning the armband.
However, the Gunners are without Albert Sambi Lokonga after the midfielder tested positive for Covid.
Gabriel Martinelli’s good form out wide means the fit-again Emile Smith Rowe is again only among the substitute, despite scoring off the bench against West Ham in midweek.
Arsenal starting XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette.
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021. Kick-off at 5.30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports.
Venue: Elland Road
Referee: Andre Marriner
Arsenal squad from: Leno, Ramsdale, Okonkwo; Cedric, Chambers, Gabriel, Holding, Kolasinac, Mari, Tavares, Tierney, Tomiyasu, White; Elneny, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Odegaard, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Xhaka; Aubameyang, Balogun, Lacazette, Martinelli, Nketiah and Pepe.
Injured: Kolasinac (ankle)
Doubts: Leno (ankle)
Unavailable: Aubameyang (disciplinary breach)
