Even if Saka is passed fit to face Shakhtar, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Arteta give the England international a rest. The Arsenal boss will have one eye on the game against Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League, and he will be desperate to have Saka available for that one.
Sterling, who earns around £300k-a-week, struggled to make an impact in the first half against Bournemouth, so we could see Leandro Trossard return to the starting XI,
Arsenal Predicted Starting XI: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Rice, Partey, Merino; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli.
Arsenal Predicted Substitutes: Porter (GK), Kiwior (DEF), Kacurri (DEF), Zinchenko (DEF), Jorginho (MID), Nwaneri (MID), Lewis-Skelly (MID), Jesus (FWD), Sterling (FWD), Kabia (FWD), Butler-Oyedeji (FWD).
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Shakhtar Donetsk Team News
Pusic has minimal fitness problems
Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov takes a corner
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Marino Pusic should have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from as they travel to England to face Arsenal. Goalkeeper Tymur Puzankov has a long-term ACL injury, but that could be Shakhtar's only injury concern ahead of this game.
Pusic did make a double change at half-time in their previous fixture, with both Eguinaldo and Newerton substituted, so it will be interesting to see whether they are able to keep their place in the starting XI.
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Shakhtar Predicted Starting XI
Sudakov the main man
Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Georgiy Sudakov
Georgiy Sudakov is a player who is starting to attract interest from clubs in the Premier League, and he's been a key figure for Shakhtar this season, scoring seven goals and two assists in the league. The Ukrainian star will likely keep his place with Pusic relying so heavily on the attacking midfielder in the final third.
Shakhtar Predicted Starting XI: Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matvienko, Henrique; Stepanenko; Zubkov, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Newerton; Sikan
Shakhtar Predicted Substitutes: Fesiun (GK), Faryna (GK), Tobias (DEF), Franjic (DEF), Azarov (DEF), Gomes (MID), Kryskiv (MID), Shved (FWD), Eguinaldo (FWD), PEdrinho (FWD), Kevin (FWD), Traore (FWD
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