Mikel Arteta is sweating on the fitness of defender Gabriel for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.
The Brazil defender hobbled off against Chelsea in midweek with Arteta making the point that if Gabriel was hurt then it must be bad. Gabriel is as hard as nails but picked up an ankle injury and Arteta remained tight-lipped on the defender's fitness in his press conference on Friday.
He admitted: "We’ll have to see tomorrow how he is, but he could not finish the game [against Chelsea] so that was obviously a big sign for us and we’ll have to see how he is.”
But the Arsenal manager is always rather tricky with his team news and who might make it or otherwise. That could leave Arsenal slightly worried about a defensive crisis if Gabriel is less than fully fit - with William Saliba already ruled out.
Jakub Kiwior was excellent against Chelsea which must leave Arsenal fans scratching their heads and wondering why he was not given a chance before. Kiwior looked good in possession, comfortable on the ball and also read danger and dealt with it from a defensive point of view.
But clearly having Gabriel alongside him helped and the worry if Gabriel misses out would be to have Kiwior and Rob Holding as the two centre halves as neither are first choice players right now. That could be a big test because Newcastle create such a big atmosphere and St James’s Park will be rocking on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal will have to be at their absolute best to get a result as Newcastle are bang in form and you do wonder whether Arteta made changes against Chelsea to give players a rest or shake up the squad.
Jorginho played well against Chelsea but maybe Thomas Partey needed a breather and could be back because he has been excellent as the anchorman in Arsenal’s midfield this term.
Also, will Gabriel Martinelli come back for Leandro Trossard? Actually it has been Bukayo Saka who has looked more jaded and in need of a breather but there is not an obvious replacement on the right which is why they are targeting players for that position this summer.
I fancy Trossard might keep his place as he’s done so well since his arrival in January and Martinelli can be such a threat from the bench with his pace.
It is a really difficult game for Arsenal as Newcastle want the win, the place will be red-hot and yet Arteta’s men need to keep the pressure on Manchester City until the end.
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Jesus.
