For the second match in a row, thanks to the fixture Gods, Arsenal will take on Crystal Palace. In what could be viewed as the more important meeting, Mikel Arteta will have an eye on his squad's fitness.
A hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus helped Arsenal overcome Palace in Wednesday's Cararabo Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium but the chance to make ground in the Premier League title race looms. Before both Chelsea and Liverpool play on Sunday, the Gunners travel to Selhurst Park.
Arteta was able to rotate his team slightly for the visit of Oliver Glasner in the cup but will likely be keen to return to a full strength side here. Arsenal know that they could end the weekend fourth and behind Nottingham Forest, as well as seven points off Chelsea and nine from Liverpool (who also have a game in hand) if they slip up.
football.london has the latest injury news ahead of the match.
Declan Rice
injury: Unknown.
Declan Rice was forced off during Arsenal's clash against Everton at the weekend after suffering a knock. He was in the stands for Wednesday's Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.
What Arteta has said: "With Declan I had to take him off because he was feeling something. He has been with a little niggle for the last week or so. He asked to be subbed in that moment, so we have to do it."
Potential return date: Unknown.
Kieran Tierney
Injury: N/A.
The left-back started his first game of the season for Arsenal but had to be taken off in the second half. He lasted almost 70 minutes in a first match for the club since August 2023.
What Arteta has said: [Was it a new injury?] "No, cramp.
Potential return date: Crystal Palace.
Riccardo Calafiori
injury: Unknown.
Riccardo Calafiori has missed the last three games for Arsenal with a groin injury. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Gunners' clash against Everton, Arteta confirmed that the 22-year-old defender was close to returning from the treatment room.
What Arteta has said: "We are just respecting the times that the medical department has set and then we just monitor his evolution every single day. And we understand that he is not fully ready yet, but he is getting very close now."
Potential return date: Crystal Palace (A) - Saturday, December 21.
Ben White
**injury:**Knee.
Ben White underwent a minor procedure last month to resolve a joint problem that had been causing him problems, football.london understands. White had been playing through pain prior to that.
What Arteta has said: "The surgery went really well, there is no reaction after that," said the Spaniard. "He is improving day by day but it is a process for the first four to six weeks, where we have to be really cautious and don’t put any stress on that knee. Then we will see how quickly he can recover and how it reacts after that."
Potential return date: 2025.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
**injury:**Muscular.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been nursing a muscle injury, missing the last three games for Arsenal. He has struggled to maintain fitness for some time now,
What Arteta has said: "We are missing a lot of players in the backline. The good thing is that whatever we put there they respond. They respond with a good attitude and performance."
Potential r eturn date: Unknown.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
**injury:**Knee.
Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out of action with a knee injury. The defender missed the large majority of last season with a calf problem and he's played just six minutes this term.
What Arteta has said: "Tomiyasu is going to be out as well for a period."
Potential r eturn date: 2025.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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