Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah and William Saliba updates ahead of Leeds game
Arsenal sweat over the fitness of William Saliba and Thomas Partey as Eddie Nketiah closes in on a return for the league leaders: the latest team news ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Leeds
By James Evans for Mailonline
14:57 28 Mar 2023, updated 15:26 28 Mar 2023
- Arsenal return to the league this weekend when they host Leeds United
- Mikel Arteta’s side will look to extend their lead at the top of the table
- The fitness of some key players was questioned ahead of the game
Premier League leaders Arsenal return this weekend when they host Leeds United.
Mikel Arteta will sweat over the fitness of some key players going into the showdown as the Gunners look to extend their lead at the top.
The Gunners come into play after a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace – with Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka all scoring.
Star midfielder Thomas Partey’s fitness is a real concern for Arteta. Partey was not a substitute in Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola on Monday. The Gunners sent a club physiotherapist to Ghana to keep the player fit.
After the game against Angola, Ghana coach Chris Hughton said: “Thomas has some small problems, a small injury problem and we felt it was too big a risk to start him.”
Both Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba both picked up injuries ahead of the international break, while Mohamed Elneny is long absent after knee surgery.
Saliba limped away in Arsenal’s Europa League elimination against Sporting Lisbon and suffered from back problems. The Frenchman would then miss the clash with Palace. France national team would officially announce that the defender will be unavailable for the forthcoming games against Netherlands and Republic of Ireland after injury. Saliba will now undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury.
Takehiro Tomiyasu suffered a knee problem during Arsenal’s game against Sporting. The right-back left Emirates Stadium in a knee brace and on crutches. It has been confirmed that the defender will now miss the rest of the season following knee surgery.
Eddie Nketiah has not played since the Gunners beat Everton. An ankle injury has kept Nketiah away since early March. The striker is still wearing protective boots and is expected to miss the Leeds clash.
The Gunners clash with Leeds United begins at 3pm on Saturday 1 April.