Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Leeds United on the last minute after picking up an injury within the warm-up.
Saka was rested in midweek for the Champions League match against Kairat but returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup for the visit to Elland Road,
The Gunners want to extend their lead at the highest of the table to seven points after a defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta’s side were dealt a late blow after Saka picked up a knock within the warm-up.
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The winger was seen heading straight down the tunnel with one in all the Arsenal physios, and has now been replaced within the starting lineup by Noni Madueke.
Christian Norgaard, who was not originally named in Arsenal’s matchday squad, has moved onto the bench to switch Madueke.
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Earlier within the afternoon, there was more injury woes for Arsenal with Mikel Merino not named within the matchday squad after sustaining a foot injury.
Asked in regards to the midfielder’s absence pre-match, Arteta said: ‘He’s got a difficulty in his foot.
‘It’s a bone that’s giving him some pain, and now we have some exams, we want some more specialists to have a look at it and to see how long he shall be out.’
Leeds United vs Arsenal team news
Leeds starting XI: Darlow, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Rodon, Struijk, Justin, Ampadu, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Tanaka, Buonanotte, Okafor, Gnoto, Piroe
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz, Madueke, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Calafiori, Mosquera, Odegaard, Eze, Norgaard, Martinelli, Jesus.
Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the road for Arsenal after being benched in midweek, with Kai Havertz dropping further back into midfield.
The German began against Kairat for the primary time since his major knee injury, but starts again today at Leeds.
Martin Odegaard has been dropped to the bench by Arteta, with Gabriel Jeusus, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli also amongst the subs.
With Saka injured and Odegaard on the bench, Gabriel will captain the side from the beginning.
Leeds, meanwhile, make one change from their 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday as Gabriel Gudmundsson is available in for Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Daniel Farke’s side have lost just one in all their last ten league games, but currently sit sixteenth within the table.
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