Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has ruled William Saliba out of Sunday's Premier League London derby with West Ham United.
The French centre-back is still struggling to shake off a back problem and was nowhere to be seen in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
With Saliba still absent from first-team training - potentially for at least a few weeks - the Frenchman's participation in season-defining meetings with Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle United is up in the air.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny also remain sidelined due to knee injuries, with the former's absence benefitting Rob Holding's chances of another start in the backline.
Holding's only Premier League goal to date came away to West Ham last term, and the Englishman ought to partner up with Gabriel Magalhaes in front of Aaron Ramsdale, who made a pair of stunning late saves to preserve a point for Arsenal at Anfield.
Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko are untouchable in the full-back areas, and the same goes for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka at the base of the midfield.
Martin Odegaard dons the captain's armband from the number 10 position, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will line up out wide as ever.
Eddie Nketiah - who scored against West Ham on Boxing Day - has made his return to full training from an ankle injury, but Gabriel Jesus has seemingly cemented his position up top ahead of the Englishman and Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus body check tags ::
