Mikel Merino and Ben White have both missed Arsenal’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta has made four changes from the Arsenal side that started in the 4-0 victory away to Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka, who suffered a nasty ankle injury in the first half against Ipswich, only makes the bench for Arsenal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also named as a substitute with Myles Lewis-Skelly starting ahead of the Ukraine international at left-back.
But both Merino and White, who started against Ipswich, have not been included in Arsenal’s matchday squad to face Palace.
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White has started just three games for Arsenal in 2025 after undergoing knee surgery in November.
ARSENAL VS CRYSTAL PALACE TEAM NEWS
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Kiwior, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Sterling, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Gower, Henry-Francis, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Nwaneri, Saka.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Munoz, Devenny, Wharton, Kamada, Nketiah, Eze.
Subs: Turner, Ward, Sarr, Franca, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Kporha.
Merino, meanwhile, has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers over the past eight weeks with three goals and three assists in seven appearances.
Speaking before kick off, Arteta said of Merino and White: ‘They couldn’t be involved – if not they would have been involved.
‘Unfortunately, after the game [against Ipswich] we had some issues and they are not fit.’
Asked about the decision to start Saka on the bench, Arteta said: ‘He was very willing to have some minutes and continue to start the games and impact the team the way he has been doing since he’s been back.
‘But again, he’s another one who wasn’t fit to start the game.’
Following the game against Palace, Arsenal will have a free weekend ahead of the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool could win the Premier League title on Wednesday night if Arsenal are beaten by Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
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