BUKAYO SAKA could be set to start against Aston Villa on Friday with his injury not as bad as first feared.
The 20-year-old hobbled off during Monday’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace after being kicked in the back of his right leg by James McArthur.
As a result of the heavy challenge, the England international was unable to continue beyond half-time, sparking fears he could face a spell on the sidelines.
But SunSport understands that Saka has been cleared to play against the Villans, who have won their last three meetings against the Gunners.
Saka is yet to train with the North London outfit this week, but Mikel Arteta has hinted he will be named in his starting XI.
Speaking in Thursday’s pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said: “He hasn’t trained yet, so again we have to assess him today and see how he is.
“It is down to the doctors and himself to see how he recovers and how he feels when he trains today and tomorrow.
“He is very important, he has shown how important he is for the team.”
Here SunSport takes a look at who could be named in Arteta’s line-up.
Aaron Ramsdale looks set to start his sixth consecutive Premier League match having established himself as Arsenal’s No1 choice goalkeeper ahead of Bernd Leno.
The Gunners are yet to lose a match with Ramsdale between the sticks, having won four and drawn two of his six outings in all competitions.
Arteta is also poised to name his preferred back four yet again, which will see Japanese ace Takehiro Tomiyasu slot in at right-back.
Kieran Tierney will almost certainly start at left-back, with a centre-back pairing consisting of Ben White and Gabriel.
In the absence of Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga could partner Thomas Partey in the middle of the pitch.
Martin Odegaard could then start in the No10 role, with Saka to be deployed on the right wing ahead of Nicolas Pepe.
Emile Smith Rowe, who was the subject of two failed bids by Villa in the summer, could then feature down the left instead of Gabriel Martinelli.
Despite his 95th minute equaliser against Palace, Alexandre Lacazette could find himself on the bench yet again.
Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will likely lead the line as he looks to score his seventh goal of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
