Arsenal without 4 senior stars for Kairat Almaty game after Arteta update
Arsenal entertain Kairat Almaty in the final league phase game of the Champions League tomorrow.
The Gunners suffered a disappointing 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
There were plenty of nervous defensive moments, which paved the way for the third loss of the season.
Manager Mikel Arteta will want a strong response against Kairat. Ahead of the game, the Spaniard will be without the services of four senior players.
Alongside the pair, the manager has now confirmed that William Saliba and Jurrien Timber won’t play any part against Kairat after missing today’s training session.
He said in his pre-match presser: “No, those are not (available). It’s a good opportunity now that we make a different kind of work with them to get them in the best possible condition for the weekend hopefully.”
The only other absentee is 16-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman, who is sidelined until the beginning of next month due to an ankle injury.
Arsenal are heavy favourites to beat Kairat with home advantage. The Kazakhstan champions have picked up just one point from seven league matches.
They have conceded an average of almost three goals per game, and the Gunners faithful will be anticipating a high-scoring victory tomorrow.
Arteta is likely to ring in the changes. We could see an entirely different starting XI from Sunday.
We anticipate only David Raya and Piero Hincapie to keep their places from last weekend. Myles Lewis-Skelly could have a new role in the centre of the park.
A huge margin win over Kairat won’t change last weekend’s result, but it would bring the feel-good factor back into the squad before the league trip to Leeds United.
Arsenal have won their seven league meetings, but could face a stern challenge with Leeds having lost just one of the last 12 matches across all competitions.
There have been plenty of draws during this period (six), and Daniel Farke’s side will surely be determined to make things tough for the Gunners at Elland Road.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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