Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is sweating over the fitness of no fewer than three players ahead of Saturday's Premier League London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners are guaranteed to be without long-term knee absentee Jurrien Timber, while William Saliba (toe), Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard (both hamstring) all withdrew from international duty this month.

Few updates have been given on the trio's respective conditions over the past week, but Saliba - whose injury has been described as "chronic" - is expected to be passed fit to start in the heart of defence.

The Frenchman will join forces with Gabriel Magalhaes, assuming that his Brazilian counterpart has recovered from his South American exertions, while David Raya will keep Aaron Ramsdale at bay despite a few shaky moments in the win over Manchester City.

Fresh from another England snub, which he can empathise with Raheem Sterling about this weekend, Ben White is to be deployed on the right, while Oleksandr Zinchenko takes his place on the left flank as ever.

Thomas Partey came through a pair of games for Ghana unscathed in the most recent international break - albeit while failing to complete the full 90 in either of them - and the ex-Atletico Madrid man could now complete the midfield three alongside shoo-ins Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Partey's inclusion would force Kai Havertz and Jorginho to start on the bench against their former club, while Gabriel Martinelli should come in for the stricken Trossard in attack after scoring a dramatic late winner against Man City.

Saka's status remains clouded in uncertainty, but the Englishman is believed to be in with a chance of recovering for Saturday's game, where he may link up with Eddie Nketiah up top as Gabriel Jesus recuperates from his World Cup qualifying exploits.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

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