arsenal start Rob Holding instead of William Saliba in today’s Premier League London derby against Crystal Palace.
Saliba was eliminated early during Thursday’s shock Europa League defeat by Sporting Lisbon because of a back problem.
The centre-back, who started every league game for Arsenal this season, was set to be assessed in hopes of being able to play this weekend.
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However, later reports from France stated that Saliba is waiting in the treatment room for several weeks and will not participate in international duty.
Arteta heads for Holding today alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back in Saliba’s absence, with January signing Jakub Kiwior on the bench, along with fellow defenders Kieran Tierney and youngster Reuell Walters.
Takehiro Tomiyasu was also injured against Sporting and his injury seems serious. The right-back injured his knee and left the Emirates Stadium on crutches.
Arsenal are making the expected changes after Thursday night’s loss to Sporting as they welcome Palace, who are now managerless firing Gunners icon Patrick Vieira on Friday.
Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey return to midfield, while Bukayo Saka rejoins an attack led by the fit again Leandro Trossard with Gabriel Jesus back on the bench.
Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny meanwhile stay aside.
Arsenal starting eleven: Ramsdale, White, Company, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Subs: Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Turner, Walters
Sunday 14:00 GMT.
Location: Emirates Stadium.
Referee: Stuart Atwell.
Injured: Elneny (knee), Nketiah (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), Saliba (back)