Arsenal face a nervous wait to see if David Raya is fit for Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
Raya is a doubt after missing Arsenal’s win in Girona on Wednesday with a muscular issue.
Mikel Arteta says the goalkeeper now faces a fitness test ahead of Sunday’s game at Emirates Stadium.
“We are still uncertain,” said Arteta on Friday. “We have another session tomorrow, another 48 hours, so we have to wait and see. It’s a muscular issue, so we have to wait and see.”
Arsenal will still be without Ben White, who is progressing well from a knee injury but not yet back in full training.
“Ben is definitely out, he hasn’t trained with us yet, so he’s not going to be available,” said Arteta.
Arteta made changes for Arsenal’s 2-1 win in Girona and is likely to make more for Sunday’s game.
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba should come into the defence, while Myles Lewis-Skelly can play at left-back after having his red card from last Saturday’s win at Wolves overturned.
Thomas Partey played at right-back in Girona, but could return to the base of midfield against City. Declan Rice should start after being rest in midweek.
Arteta’s biggest dilemma is what he does in attack. Ethan Nwaneri scored and excelled on the right flank in Girona, so will hope to keep his place.
Kai Havertz is expected to come in and play as the No9 after being rested on Wednesday.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Doubts: Raya
Injured: Jesus (knee), Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)
Time and date: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday 2 February 2025
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Peter Bankes
Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Calafiori, Gabriel, Kacurri, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Havertz, Martinelli, Sterling and Trossard.
