Arsenal vs Crystal Palace injury news as five ruled out and five remain doubts

Arsenal will be looking to bounce back this weekend after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners will host Crystal Palace in Sunday’s only Premier League clash.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be confident of claiming all three points and keeping their five point lead at the top of the table after winning five successive matches in the top flight. Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira narrowly missed out on a trip to his old stomping ground after he was sacked by the Eagles earlier this week. Former defender Paddy McCarthy is set to take charge of the London club this weekend as they look to put distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

There has been little to split between the two clubs in recent meetings, with five of their last nine fixtures ending in draws, while Arsenal have only won two. They will be eager to do the double over their rivals after a Gabriel Martinelli header and a Marc Guehi own goal handed them all three points at Selhurst Park in August.

Ahead of the Emirates Stadium clash, here is the latest injury news from both teams...

Arsenal

Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Arsenal’s 4-0 thrashing of Everton at the start of the month. The striker will remain out for a few weeks, though his absence is less of a concern for Arteta following Gabriel Jesus’ long awaited return last week.

On Nketiah, the Spaniard said: “He’s getting better. He’s still in the boot. He’s still a few weeks away and we need to be patient. It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad place.”

William Saliba

The Frenchman limped off with a muscle injury after only 20 minutes of the defeat to Sporting Lisbon midweek. There appeared to be no strapping to Saliba’s back following the game, though he will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he can return to the line-up tomorrow.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu was another forced substitute in the first half against the Portuguese club after overstretching for a tackle that left him needing treatment. The defender’s injury looks worse than Saliba’s however and it looks likely that he could miss out against Crystal Palace.

On Tomiyasu, Arteta said: “Tomiyasu looks pretty serious from his reaction straight and what he said to me, but obviously, it’s very early.”

Mohamed Elneny

The Egyptian has been out of the squad since the start of the year after having surgery on a knee problem. Elneny was set to be sidelined for ‘an extended period of time’ and will be absent this weekend.

Crystal Palace

Vincent Guiata

Crystal Palace will once again be without their first choice goalkeeper after straining his hamstring. Guiata was absent from their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion and will remain sidelined for the Eagles’ trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Sam Johnstone

Sam Johnstone’s calf injury is likely to keep him out of the picture until next month, meaning Crystal Palace will once again have to rely on 19-year-old Joe Whitworth. The teenager made his debut against Brighton and will retain his place in the team this weekend.

Will Hughes

Will Hughes missed out on Palace’s defeat to the Seagulls with illness but returned to training ahead of this weekend’s game. However, the midfielder is a doubt to start for the London outfit.

James McArthur

McArthur has also been out with illness but has returned to training in recent days.

Nathan Ferguson

The defender is still recovering from a long-term injury that has kept him out of action since December 2021.

Albert Sambi Lokonga

The midfielder is ineligible to feature against his parent club tomorrow after joining Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal in January. Lokonga has made seven appearances for the Eagles this term.