Missing Players and team news:
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cut a frustrated figure on the bench against Spurs after he was dropped for disciplinary reasons, but he should be reinstated to the first XI this week. On a more negative note, Arteta confirmed that teenage starlet Bukayo Saka had to be withdrawn at the weekend due to a hamstring problem, so Nicolas Pepe could benefit from his absence on the right-hand side. With the weekend’s London derby in mind, Pablo Mari and Hector Bellerin are both in contention to return to the rearguard, while Ceballos could earn a place in midfield with one of Granit Xhaka or Thomas Partey due a rest. Former Arsenal man Sokratis will likely be partnered with makeshift centre-back Yann M’Vila upon his return to the Emirates, as Ruben Semedo and Avraam Papadopoulos remain in the treatment room while Ousseynou Ba is doubtful with a back problem. Martins rotated heavily against Larissa with this game taking priority, so the two returning full-backs in Kenny Lala and Oleg Reabciuk should line up in North London, while Mady Camara and Mathieu Valbuena are also set to return to the midfield. Despite his goal at the weekend, Ahmed Hassan should drop down to the bench for El Arabi, who bagged his 22nd goal of the season as a substitute in Sunday’s win.
