Arsenal played out a 0-0 draw against Manchester united at the Emirates on Saturday, starting the game without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka in the squad.
Martin Odegaard made his Arsenal debut, coming on as a late second half sub when he replaced Emile Smith Rowe.
Alexandre Lacazette was replaced late in the second half by Eddie Nketiah. The Frenchman was injured when he jumped for a high ball and Harry Maguire bumped him:
Starting XI: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, David Luiz, Cedric, Partey, Xhaka, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Lacazette
Subs: Runarsson, Gabriel, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Willock, Odegaard, Willian, Nketiah
Manchester United: De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Pogba, Cavani, Rashford, Fred, B. Fernandes, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay
Subs: Henderson, Alex Telles, Bailly, Tuanzebe, James, Matic, van de Beek, Greenwood, Martial
You can find out why Bukayo Saka was missing here
As Arsenal prepare to face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, some information is emerging about which players might be involved.
Starting off with the bad news, Chris Wheatley reports that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t be available for the game. There was some speculation that he might have trouble with quarantine after going to visit his family over his mother’s health issue.
The rest of the updates are largely positive. TheAFCBell write that Thomas Partey passed his late fitness test on Friday, so he’ll make the squad. Martin Odegaard will also reportedly feature in the matchday squad.
Emile Smith Rowe was in training on Friday with the team, and James Benge reports that it was just cramp that forced him off against Southampton.
Similarly, Kieran Tierney trained with the squad in the last couple of days. Sam Dean reported earlier this week that the left-back’s injury is nothing serious, and he should be available for United.
Arsenal posted their official team news update on Saturday, confirming Aubameyang’s absence, as well as Partey and Smith Rowe’s availability for the match. However, they would only confirm a ‘late decision’ would be made on Tierney.
Pablo Mari and Dani Ceballos returned to training this week, but Arsenal write that the pair will miss out on this one. Mat Ryan is also a surprise absentee, after a knock in training, but it’s nothing serious and he should return next week.
To sum up, it looks like Arsenal will be missing Aubameyang, Mari, Ceballos, and Ryan. The rest of the squad should be available for selection, with Tierney the only doubt, and debutant Odegaard will be involved for the first time – likely on the bench at first.