Injury update: Who will start for Arsenal against Brentford?
Since the death of Her Majesty the Queen, everything has been very confusing on the footballing front, with games being cancelled (or reinstated) at the drop of a hat by the Premier League and the policing authorities, but at least we know for certain that Arsenal will play at Brentford at lunchtime this Sunday.
Arteta had hoped to see his backup players in action against PSV on Thursday, but that game has also been postponed, so at least there is now a substantial break to allow our wounded players to heal.
- Former Rangers player Aaron Ramsey dealt latest injury blow at Nice
- Kieran Tierney’s Constant Injury May Lead Arsenal Looking For His Replacement.
- Latest Arsenal Injury News: Updates On Smith Rowe | Partey | Elneny And Nelson
We now know for certain that Kierney has fully recovered and has been called up to the Scotland camp, so it would be beneficial if he could regain some match fitness against Brentford, and Takehero Tomiyasu will also be available for selection. I’d want to see both of them start the game on Sunday.
There has been considerable chatter about Thomas Partey returning to training, but given his reoccurring issues, I doubt Arteta would start him against the Bees, although he may get some minutes off the bench to ease him in gradually. The manager has also remained tight-lipped regarding Oleks Zinchenko’s health, so we should anticipate Xhaka and Lokonga to stay in midfield for the time being.
We know Elneny and Reiss Nelson will not be returning, and we’ve been told that Smith Rowe is taking a rest and will not be able to play, but I believe Arteta’s aim will be to get Partey and Zinchenko back on track before we face Tottenham in the North London Derby after the international break.
