rsenal start Rob Holding in place of William Saliba in today’s Premier League London derby against Crystal Palace.
Saliba was forced off early during Thursday’s shock Europa League defeat by Sporting Lisbon due to a back issue.
The centre-back, who has started every League game for Arsenal this season, was set to be assessed in the hope that he could play this weekend.
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However, subsequent reports from France stated that Saliba is facing several weeks in the treatment room and won’t take part in international duty.
Arteta goes for Holding alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back today in Saliba’s absence, with January signing Jakub Kiwior on the bench along with fellow defenders Kieran Tierney and young Reuell Walters.
Takehiro Tomiyasu also came off injured against Sporting and his injury looks serious. The right-back hurt his knee and left the Emirates Stadium on crutches.
Arsenal make the expected changes from Thursday night’s loss to Sporting as they welcome Palace, who are now without a manager after sacking Gunners icon Patrick Vieira on Friday.
Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey come back into the midfield, while Bukayo Saka rejoins an attack led by the fit-again Leandro Trossard with Gabriel Jesus back on the bench.
Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny remain sidelined, meanwhile.
Arsenal starting XI: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Subs: Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Turner, Walters
Sunday 2pm GMT.
Venue: Emirates Stadium.
Referee: Stuart Attwell.
Injured: Elneny (knee), Nketiah (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), Saliba (back)
