Arsenal have the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table if they are able to beat Crystal Palace this afternoon at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in a huge Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
The north Londoners currently lead the title race, sitting five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who don't play in the league this weekend due to their involvement in the FA Cup quarter-finals yesterday. Meanwhile, Palace are 12th but a poor run of form means they are still only five points above bottom of the table Southampton.
The Gunners won the reverse fixture back in August, securing a 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park in the season's opening game. Manager Mikel Arteta will have star striker Gabriel Jesus back available as the two London sides battle again today.
Jesus had missed nearly four months of action after sustaining a knee injury during Brazil's World Cup campaign back in November. The 25-year-old was a late substitute during last week's 3-0 win over Fulham and started Thursday's 1-1 draw against Sporting in the Europa League before being withdrawn at half-time in what Arteta confirmed was a pre-planned move.
However, one player that the Spaniard is unlikely to have at his disposal is centre-back William Saliba. Saliba went off in the opening exchanges of the aforementioned match with Sporting after suffering some lower back soreness.
The Japanese international left the Emirates on crutches, with Arteta describing his injury as a "serious" one. With that being said, let's took a look at the full squad that the former City assistant coach will have available for the game against the Eagles.
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner, James Hillson.
Defenders: Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba (major doubt), Rob Holding, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney.
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, Jorginho, Granit Xhaka, Matt Smith.
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard.
lbcrna
0
Haters opinion that one, Saliba is a generational talent
u think saliba will be a starter at Manchester city, real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern, etc he saliba is league one level player lucky to be playing in the EPL
Vicacnpyz
0
saliba is league one level
Name one player in your own team that is better than him at 21
Capeioru
0
Tavares is a wing back, not great at defending and without the ball. He also has attitude problems and this has been mentioned by his loan club.
Mukhtari
0
saliba is league one level
he's better than all your players plus the attackers and your useless past legends
JorgeJamaika
0
If William saliba is one of the best and beloved players in Arsenal's squad yet he used to be undermined by some Arsenal fans then believe me the next one will be Nuno Tavares.
jihacertuz
3
The LB and RB positions have players that frequently are sidelined due to injuries, infact both Tomiyasu and Tierney had injury issues even at the time were signing them on Kiwior should be b taking up this opportunity to get minutes under his belt,,,come on gunners let's go go 👏🇿🇲
kibet232
1
saliba is league one level
Haters opinion that one, Saliba is a generational talent
9jaNinja8903
0
saliba is league one level
It's called an opinion, mate. Everyone has one. 😊
lbcrna
2
saliba is league one level