Arsenal youngster Reuell Walters selected for Crystal Palace clash as William Saliba ruled out

Saliba has yet to miss a Premier League game for the leaders in their impressive title fight in 2022/23, but was forced off in the early stages from Thursday evening’s shock home defeat of the Europa League in the round of 16 against Sporting Lisbon with an outdated problem.

Arsenal would be assessing the influential centre-back in hopes he could play another role in Sunday’s London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Standard sports understands that Saliba will not be there today, with reports from French publication L’Equipe on Saturday saying he is about to miss several weeks and will not be available for international duty.

With the 21-year-old now joining the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny in the treatment room, Rob Holding is expected to replace centre-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes against Palace.

Signing Jakub Kiwior in January is another possible option, although he has yet to make his senior debut and has only made one Europa League appearance for Arsenal so far.

Manager Mikel Arteta could otherwise opt to bring in Ben White at right-back, with Kieran Tierney another possible solution. Arsenal are also without versatile Takehiro Tomiyasu after he suffered a serious-looking knee injury against Sporting.

One player who will be part of the match squad against Palace is Walters. A right-back by trade, the 18-year-old also enjoys playing centrally as part of a back three and has impressed at youth level this season.

Walters, formerly of Tottenham’s academy before joining Arsenal in 2020, has made 20 appearances for the young Gunners so far this season, but is awaiting his senior debut after training with the first team since the injuries to Saliba and Tomiyasu .

He was selected in Arteta’s roster to tour the United States during the pre-season and started last July’s friendly victory over Germany’s Nürnberg.