Arsenal line-ups vs Sheffield United as Zinchenko starts, no Ramsdale and Odegaard decision made
Mikel Arteta was one training session away from the luxury of having a near fully-fit Arsenal first-team squad at his disposal and he faces an anxious wait to discover whether the dream scenario can be salvaged.
Of course, the major concerns ahead of Saturday afternoon's Premier League fixture against Sheffield United are the fitness of Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus after the former missed the Champions League win over Sevilla in midweek and the latter limped off nine minutes from time.
The hope is both make speedy recoveries and if so, a selection dilemma is on the horizon for the Gunners manager.
Whilst it's a fixture the home side are expected to win, complacency simply can not be a factor and therefore it's crucial that Arteta gets this line-up right. Thankfully for him, football.london's writers are on hand to help. Below is who they think should start for Arsenal against Sheffield United.
I think you give David Raya one more game to prove himself here. Yes, he's not been convincing but Aaron Ramsdale is playing in midweek against West Ham come rain or shine, so it seems sensible to give Raya another shot.
In front of him it feels really harsh to drop Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Japan international is in great form right now and didn't put a foot wrong in Seville. A home game against the bottom side in the table is a fixture made for Alex Zinchenko if ever there was one though.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides worrying Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey injury update
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Jesus and Partey injuries, Odegaard form and Christmas Eve games
In midfield I think you can afford to go more offensive. I'm dropping Declan Rice into the No.6, and bringing Kai Havertz in. Alongside the German it's got to be
Read on football.london
