Continuing with thoughts about the youngsters, other than Dowman, we can note the careful management of Ethan Nwaneri, who may also play tonight after being an unused sub in the Champions League defeat of Athletic Bilbao.
However, we do have a spot of good news, which is that both Rice and Calafiori are now fit and Saliba and Martinelli are recovering, although neither are 100% fit and so unlikely to be risked tonight. Rice and Calafiri also might not make it beyond the bench.
Madueke, Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus are all out. The injuries at the Palace are Kporha, Richards, who is being assessed, plus Dnanou and Doucoure who are both out.
So why do Arsenal constantly get so many injuries?Interestingly, the media seem rather reluctant to comment on the issue, just as they don’t like to tell us who the officials are tonight, but the information is out there.
Draw specialist Sam Barrott is the referee, with Wade Smith and Akil Howson on the lines and James Linington as the fourth official. We’ll have more on this later on. Meanwhile, let’s finish on the home and away tables, as that is rather cheerier news.