Mikel Arteta will be without Arsenal winger Marquinhos for Thursday evening's Europa League clash against PSV Eindhoven.
The teenager, who joined the Gunners from Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo in the summer transfer window for a fee in the region of £3m, wasn't spotted in Wednesday's training session at London Colney - along with Emile Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko - thus prompting questions regarding his availability.
And speaking ahead of the game, Arteta had the answers: "We had Marquinhos who wasn’t feeling well today and didn’t travel," the Arsenal manager told reporters. "For the rest we are OK. We don’t have that many players. Even the players that we have, we are bringing four kids with us so we can make the squad."
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How Marquinhos' enforced absence changes Arteta's plans remains to be seen as there had been no indication that the Brazilian was in line to earn a recall to the starting line-up having been named on the bench for the north London outfit's last three Europa League fixtures.
With that said, the 19-year-old did start the opening two games of the group as he had a hand in both goals during the 2-1 win over FC Zurich on matchday one before enduring 'a slightly disappointing night' against FK Bodo/Glimt on what was his first game at the Emirates Stadium.
Unable to call upon Marquinhos as Arsenal look to win Group A by avoiding defeat against PSV Eindhoven, the good news is that Arteta can choose between several candidates to start on the right-hand side of attack whilst wonderkid Khayon Edwards could replace him in the matchday squad.
Despite operating from the left this season, Gabriel Martinelli could switch flanks, Reiss Nelson can play on both sides, Fabio Vieria could be shifted further forward and Gabriel Jesus has experience of playing as a right-winger having done so for Manchester City and the Brazil national team.
However, it seems Arteta has already hinted at who will get the nod as judging by the Spaniard's team selection for the away game against Bodo/Glimt and last week's clash with PSV, it's possible that he thinks Bukayo Saka is the best option to start on the right-hand side.
The England international has taken Marquinhos' place in the last two Europa League fixtures and he might be called upon once again as he looks to continue his recent great form which has seen him weigh in with four goals and four assists in his last eight games across all competitions.
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