Fabio Vieira, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson all options – how Arsenal could line up without Bukayo Saka against Man City
Arsenal are facing the prospect of being without Bukayo Saka for their crunch clash with Manchester City.
The winger has been struggling for fitness in recent weeks but was risked for the Champions League clash with Lens midweek.
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As well as coming away with a 2-1 defeat, the Gunners also saw their star man forced off after just 34 minutes with what looked like a thigh strain.
Mikel Arteta remained coy on the injury after the match, but let slip to a Norwegian journalist that "it doesn't look good".
The 22-year-old has been included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for their upcoming fixtures with Australia and Italy, but even the Three Lions' boss sent a message of caution, saying: “I can only go via what Mikel [Arteta] has said about the last few games.
"He is in contention for the weekend so we’ve obviously got a very important qualifier. We look after the players as well as any country.
MORE ON BUKAYO SAKA
"There’s always a focus on our players because they are playing their club football, in the main, in England and then we are playing here as well.
"Whereas all the other countries call the players that are playing in the Premier League and nobody looks at how they look after them and how they train them."
Southgate added: "We only have 10 matches a year. And there’s been times when Bukayo, for example, we haven’t always played. But there are certain key games where, if it’s possible to have your best players, then you do want to have them.
"So we’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country but, I’ve been a player. I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing. And nor would I.”
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Arteta did offer a fresh update in his pre-match press conference on Friday, saying: "He is in contention. Let’s see how he progresses from here to Sunday.
"He had to leave the pitch and that’s never good news. Let’s see how he recovers."
Asked what the specific injury is, Arteta replied: "I leave that for the doctors."
Should Arteta decide not risk Saka in their crunch clash with Man City, Arsenal certainly won't be short of options.
While Gabriel Martinelli is injured, Gabriel Jesus has regularly featured out on the left to allow Eddie Nketiah to play in a central attacking role.
That means that along with Reiss Nelson, the Gunners have Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira who could fill Saka's usual spot on the right flank.
Whoever is selected will face a difficult a side who have the best defence in the Premier League with just five goals conceded.
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