Arsenal predicted line-up vs. Luton: key change made as Gunners sweat on Bukayo Saka fitness

Arsenal continue their title challenge when they host relegation-threatened Luton Town at the Emirates on Wednesday evening – but Mikel Arteta has a few fitness worries to keep track of ahead of the game.

Bukayo Saka came off early during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, while Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães are among the players working their way back to full fitness after recent knocks.

We’ve collected all the latest team news and injury updates below and predicted Arteta’s starting line-up for the Premier League match, and if you’re after some information ahead of the Fantasy Premier League deadline, you can also find our high-flying manager’s dedicated FPL advice column by clicking here.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Centre-half Gabriel withdrew from the Brazil squad for the recent friendlies against England and Spain with an unspecified injury, but came through the full 90 minutes against Manchester City and seems to be unscathed.

That means that Arteta should have everyone except for long-term absentee Jurriën Timber to choose from in defence. The Dutchman continues rehabilitation for the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained on the opening day of the season and while there have been some reports that he might play again before the end of the campaign, those remain unconfirmed by the club.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has only played 11 minutes of Premier League football since 4 February and remained on the bench for the City game, is believed to be fit and able to play if required.

Midfield

Arsenal should have a clean bill of health in midfield with no injuries reported. It remains to be seen whether Arteta will persist with the double pivot of Declan Rice and Jorginho which has brought them so much recent success, or set up in more attacking fashion for a game which the Gunners will be expected to win.

Thomas Partey, who withdrew from Ghana’s international squad to focus on regaining full fitness following an injury-interrupted season, may be ready to start in the league for the first time since August after coming off the bench for the last three Premier League matches.

Forwards

Saka was taken off in the second half against Manchester City, with Arteta saying that the winger was “feeling the fatigue” having been unable to train for two weeks after withdrawing from the England squad with a muscular issue. He was able to join team training on Friday, but that was Saka’s only involvement in practice prior to the game.

It seems, however, that Saka remains fit enough to play against Luton if required, although Arteta may take the chance to keep his minutes limited as he works his way back to full fitness. He is likely to start but may not finish the game, especially if Arsenal find themselves winning comfortably. Martinelli, who came off the bench against City after recovering from a gashed foot, should be able to start if required.

Full predicted line-up vs. Luton Town

Raya; Kiwior, Saliba, Gabriel, White; Rice, Jorginho, Ødegaard; Martinelli, Saka, Havertz.