Arsenal are without eight first-team players for tonight’s Champions League clash against Slavia Prague.
Martin Zubimendi is definitely out and suspended after already picking up three yellow cards in this season’s Champions League.
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The midfielder is expected to be joined on the sidelines by Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres.
All seven players were absent from training on Monday afternoon before Arsenal flew to the Czech Republic.
Gyokeres, who opened the scoring during Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Burnley, was replaced at half-time for Mikel Merino on Saturday after complaining of a muscular issue.
“He is definitely not available, he hasn’t trained today,” said Arteta on Monday night in Prague.
“We need to do some more tests and scans in the next few days to understand the extent of the injury, but for this game, he is not available
.“I am concerned, because he hasn’t had many muscular issues and he had to leave the pitch [on Saturday].
“He was feeling something and that’s obviously never a good sign, especially for a player that is very, very explosive.”
Martinelli also has a muscular injury and has missed Arsenal’s last two matches. Havertz, Jesus, Madueke and Odegaard are all out with knee injuries.
Mikel Arteta spoke positively about Havertz, Madueke and Odegaard’s fitness last week and is optimistic they will all be fit for the north London derby later this month. Jesus is due to return at the end of this year or in early January.
Arsenal’s lack of attacking options may mean Merino is forced to lead the line, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard flanking him.
Andre Harriman-Annous trained with the first team on Monday and is another candidate to replace Gyokeres. Max Dowman is due to be with the squad as an option out wide.
Christian Norgaard will hope to start at the base of midfield in the absence of Zubimendi.
Ethan Nwaneri could also come into the midfield in place of Eberechi Eze, who has started the last six games for Arsenal.
In defence, Arteta may look to rotate his full-backs, with Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly replacing Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Doubts: Arrizabalaga
Injured: Jesus (knee), Gyokeres, Havertz (knee), Madueke (knee), Martinelli (thigh), Odegaard (knee)
Suspended: Zubimendi
Time and date: 5.45pm GMT on Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Venue: Fortuna Arena
How to watch: TNT Sports
