ARSENAL host Sevilla in a crucial Champions League clash this evening facing something of an injury crisis.
The Gunners could seal qualification to the knockout stages with a win over Diego Alonso’s side.
But they will go into the game with a depleted squad.
Arsenal could be without SIX key players – including captain Martin Odegaard.
The midfielder sustained a knock during last month’s trip to Seville and has not started a game since.
He made a 20-minute cameo during Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham last week, but was not deemed fit enough to take part in Saturday’s match against Newcastle.
Mikel Arteta has since admitted that he is “uncertain” whether or not Odegaard will be able to feature against Sevilla.
Another uncertainty among the squad is striker Eddie Nketiah.
The 24-year-old has filled in for Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal’s starting striker since the Brazilian picked up an injury against Sevilla two weeks ago.
However, he did not take part in Tuesday’s training session due to a knock.
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Nketiah is now understood to be a doubt for Wednesday evening’s Champions League match.
Emile Smith Rowe is also set to be absent due to injury.
The midfielder impressed on his first Premier League start in 530 days last month against Sheffield United.
He spent the majority of last season on the sidelines with a groin injury and finally returned to the squad in August.
However, in another huge blow he has suffered a knee injury which is set to keep him out for several weeks.
Arsenal have already been short in midfield for a number of weeks, with Thomas Partey also missing.
The 30-year-old, who has made just four Premier League appearances so far this season, is expected to be unavailable until the new year due to a hamstring injury.
But recent reports claim that he has already asked to leave North London in January, meaning he could have already played his last game for the Gunners.
Jurrien Timber is also unavailable until further notice as he continues to recover from an ACL injury.
With several players set to miss tonight’s match at the Emirates, Arteta will have to significantly reshuffle his starting line-up.
Declan Rice will likely be joined by Jorginho in midfield, with Fabio Vieira taking up a more attacking role.
That would leave summer signing Kai Havertz free to start as a centre forward.
The former Chelsea star, who played as a No9 on several occasions for the Blues, is expected to be joined by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in attack.
Luckily for Arsenal, Arteta has a full-strength selection of defenders to pick from.
That means William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko will all keep their places in the starting line-up, with David Raya also expected to start.
Alternatively, out-of-favour Aaron Ramsdale could be handed his Champions League debut amid the Spaniard’s struggles.
Takehiro Tomiyasu may also replace Zinchenko in defence, with Jakub Kiwior potentially stepping in for either Saliba or Gabriel in the middle as the boss rotates his squad.
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If Arteta did decide to keep Havertz in midfield, Rice could be forced back into a holding role while Vieira lines up alongside the German midfielder.
That would likely see Leandro Trossard start in attack, either as a striker or a false nine.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
