Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed Ben White and Mikel Merino were not fit to face Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
The pair’s absence is a worry for the Gunners given they have the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
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Merino and White were both involved in Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Ipswich, but Arteta has confirmed they picked up “issues” after.
The duo were duly left out of Arsenal’s squad for their clash with Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
“They couldn’t be involved - if not they would have been,” said Arteta. “Unfortunately, after the game [against Ipswich] we had some issues and they are not fit.”
Arsenal would be confident of coping with the absence of White because Jurrien Timber has excelled at right-back this season.
The loss of Merino would be a hammer blow, though, as he has excelled as a striker in recent months.
The Spaniard was one of Arsenal’s star performers in their quarter-final win over Real Madrid. He scored once and assisted twice over the two legs.
