Arsenal defender Rob Holding is out of Saturday’s trip to Burnley due to a knee injury.
Holding picked up the injury during training last week ahead of Arsenal’s match with Norwich. The centre-back has heavy bruising to his right knee and, while he has progressed well with his rehabilitation, he will not be available for the Gunners’ game at Burnley this weekend.
Mikel Arteta will also be without Mohamed Elneny, who is still recovering from a hamstring strain and won’t return to full training until next week.
Granit Xhaka is also suspended for the game at Turfmoor, but there is good news as he has recovered from Covid-19 and is back in full training. The midfielder contracted the virus while he was away with Switzerland on international duty and he remained there during his quarantine.
Xhaka has now recovered, though, and he is backing training with the squad at Arsenal’s training base in London Colney. Due to his red card against Manchester City last month, he is suspended for Saturday’s trip to Burnley and Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon - but he will be available for next week’s north London derby.
The absence of Elneny and Xhaka this weekend means that Thomas Partey is likely to start at Turfmoor on Saturday. The Ghanaian came off the bench for the final 30 minutes or so against Norwich last weekend, playing a key role in the winning goal.
Partey has been recovering from an ankle injury and Arsenal didn’t want to rush him back.
