Arsenal are set to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Wednesday, riding a wave of impressive form but struggling with a slew of injuries.
Since the international break, the Gunners have been on fire, netting 13 goals in consecutive victories over Nottingham Forest, Sporting Lisbon, and West Ham.
With Martin Odegaard back in the lineup and Bukayo Saka in top form, Arsenal have surged to second place in the Premier League table. However, as they prepare to host United, they're aware that Ruben Amorim has breathed new life into the visiting team.
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford and stunning new Love Island WAG could be 'next Posh and Becks'
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim admits he ‘doesn’t like’ new Man Utd chant after Red Devils win
The Daily Star joins Bluesky as we Make Social Media Fun Again
Come and join The Daily Star on Bluesky, the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X.
Fear not, we're not leaving Twitter/X, but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on https://bsky.app/profile/dailystar.co.uk, and see us social better than the rest.
You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a “Starter Pack”.
So what are you waiting for?! Let's M.S.M.F.A (Make Social Media Fun Again)
United's 4-0 thrashing of Everton on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee scoring twice, means they'll likely arrive in north London brimming with confidence. Furthermore, United might draw encouragement from Arsenal's injury woes, which could see six key players sidelined.
The most pressing concern for Arsenal is the fitness of central defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who has been substituted in the last two matches. Gabriel scored in the wins over Sporting and West Ham before being taken off.
Injured Arsenal defender Gabriel after a clash with West Ham goalkeeoer Lukasz Fabianski
Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off vs West Ham (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images)
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
Although he was punched in the head by Lukasz Fabianski, earning a penalty on Saturday, Mikel Arteta revealed that it wasn't concussion protocols that led to his halftime substitution. "It was related to the previous injury he had in Lisbon," Arteta explained, reports the Mirror.
"Obviously, he did great to be part of that but with that result and with the niggle that he's feeling, we decided to take him off."
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel has teased fans that he may be fit to start against Manchester United on Wednesday by posting a message on Instagram that read: "+3 [points] and we continue fighting together! Thanks for your support Gunners! See you on Wednesday!"
Mikel Arteta Manager of Arsenal looks disappointed and dejected
Mikel Arteta has been hindered by injuries (Image: Getty Images)
However, Mikel Arteta still faces a defensive crisis, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White ruled out. Tomiyasu has struggled with a knee injury all season, while White is out for several months after suffering a knee injury last month.
Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt after being replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 56th minute against West Ham.
Arteta revealed that the Italian has been "dealing with little niggles in the last few weeks", and with a short turnaround between games, his participation against United is uncertain. In midfield, Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey are also doubts after missing the West Ham win.