Mikel Arteta chose to rotate his side on Wednesday, leaving Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard all out of the team with some of them only being turned to once the game was seemingly out of sight. As he looks to juggle a tough schedule and consistent injury niggles in his squad there isn't loads of room for wholesale changes here.
One player he will be missing more than most is midfield keystone Thomas Partey. The former Atletico Madrid man has only started three league games this season and is yet to play in the Champions League either. His latest setback is likely to keep him out for another couple of weeks at least taking him beyond the November international break.
The 30-year-old is still coming out to support his teammates though and has posted online ahead of the game. He took to Instagram to put up a pre-match graphic including details of the game and some of his fellow players including Rice, Saka, Odegaard, Saliba and Kai Havertz.
That would usually be taken as a hint that the player would be involved in the game but for Partey it is much too soon to be seeing him back. However, the official Arsenal account has also put up a potential hint of others being involved.
Ahead of the game Ben White is the central player on a graphic and he is in line to make a 100th appearance for the club should he play. "I think he’s progressing the right way in the last few years as you said he had a little bit of a difficult start which is normal because it was a big jump," Arteta said of his trusted full-back when asked on Friday.
"Different expectations and to play as well in different situations and positions but I think it showed a lot of determination and courage to overcome any of that I think he has a big personality. I think he goes with pressure really well he has a lot of quality gives different positions and he’s been a key player for us."The manager also admitted that the club are keen to extend his stay in north London. "We always try to keep the squad in a healthy position in any way, and the club especially are working on that [a new contract]," he added. Eddie Nketiah is also a man in the spotlight right now after scoring a hat-trick last weekend.
He has the task of filling in for the injured Gabriel Jesus and currently tops the squad's league goalscoring charts. Arsenal put an image of him up with the title of 'Matchday' and more promotional details for the clash. Given the options currently available this can certainly also be construed as a hint that he will be playing once more.
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