Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus have both returned to the matchday squad in the past week although neither are yet to get any minutes. Vieira was on the bench for both FC Porto and Newcastle United although the Brazilian striker only made it back for the latter.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all close to a return with Arteta set to provide the latest updates on all those still recovering from their issues in today’s press conference. Jurrien Timber has re-joined the group for some training but is still waiting on the green light to return to full training.
With the next game a visit to Bramall Lane, Mikel Arteta might indeed, with the returning players back, be able to field a side that he has waited the better part of four months, since the win over Manchester City and Partey’s last appearance – to field. Sheffield United are the next side looking to prevent another five-plus goal away thriller from the Gunners.
David Raya naturally continues in goal following an impressive start to the year and the back four remains relatively unchanged. Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been in great form and won’t be dislodged even by the returning Tomiyasu who will likely be on the bench and slowly reintegrated.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, however, could return to the squad in place of Jakub Kiwior. That said, it seems incredibly harsh considering the Polish international has been a brilliant stand-in and has raised his stock considerably. Into midfield and the long-awaited return of Thomas Partey sees him finally unite with Declan Rice with the last time the pair started together in midfield was the Community Shield victory over Manchester City. That said, Martin Odegaard remains in the team for obvious reasons but does have Fabio Vieira as depth after his return in the past week.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have picked up great form this year and naturally continue. However, Arteta will have a big decision to make at centre-forward after the form of Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard but he now has the option to bring in Gabriel Jesus too.
Arsenal potential XI vs Sheffield United: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
