Mikel Arteta and Oliver Glasner have both vowed to name strong teams when Arsenal host Crystal Palace in an inconsequential Premier League meeting on Wednesday night – despite both having massive knockout semi-finals in the coming days.
The Gunners are gearing up for their Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain, while Palace face Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.
But despite their pre-match claims that key men will not be rested despite neither having much to play for in the league and the risk of an unfortunate injury striking, there are still a combined 10 players ruled out through injury.
Arsenal know a failure to win will hand Liverpool the title but Arteta insists that will form no part of his thinking when it comes to selecting his team.
The Gunners will be without long-term injured Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes, with Arteta also ruling out Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Jorginho.
And Italy midfielder Jorginho, out of contract in June, has a rib injury that might rule him out for the rest of the campaign. “We have to see how he evolves in the next few days, I would say a few weeks.“ Arteta said. “The doctor was quite cautious still about dates. So let’s see.”
But there was positive news around Bukayo Saka, who came off with a hurt ankle against Ipswich Town after a brutal tackle from Leif Davis. “It’s not serious,” Arteta said, confirming that Saka was in line to feature tonight.
“When the players are fit and available, they have to play. They are at their best when they play and are consistent in their performances. “ W h e n physically and emotionally they are good , their under – standing and rhythms and the way they make their decisions is at its best.
“If they are not available or if they are not in good condition to per form , there’s no discussion. But if they are, we are going to play them.”
Palace, meanwhile, are without suspended Chris Richards and injured duo Cheick Doucoure and and Chadi Riad. And Glasner has confirmed that Ben Chilwell will not feature because he is battling a bout of illness.
That aside, however, the south Londoners will look to name a strong team. “We’re in a good situation, the players are fit and we want them to stay fit so we are always monitoring their minutes,” Glasner said.
“A three-week game is not a big problem, but this is our second three-week game and, of course, some very intense games. We have to look at what’s best and which players are in the best shape, but that doesn’t mean we will make 10 changes.
“Maybe we will change two or three, but that is not because we value the Saturday game more than tomorrow’s game. But we need to be top physically, top mentally to be able to compete with Arsenal.
“I expect both teams entering the pitch want to win the game. We expect Arsenal to play their strongest team. The fans deserve to see the best teams – and we’ll play with the best available.”
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