Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keeping his fingers crossed that Bukayo Saka will be available for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex.
The England international had to come off against Manchester City over the Easter weekend due to fatigue and was missing from the matchday squad on Wednesday evening, as the Gunners comfortably beat Luton Town 2-0.
Arteta revealed after the game that Saka felt something late in training, but the extended rest should have done the winger the world of good, and there is a strong chance that he will be seen on the South Coast this weekend.
As a result, Jurrien Timber should be the visitors' only injury absentee as he completes his recuperation from an ACL issue, and he could soon turn out for the Under-21s before being re-integrated back into the senior group.
Even with Bayern Munich to come next week, Arteta should leave nothing to chance against a Brighton side unbeaten at home since September, so Saka ought to be drafted in for Reiss Nelson if he is fit enough.
The same can be said for Gabriel Martinelli on the left - the Brazilian has come off the bench in successive games since recovering from a foot problem - but Kai Havertz's physicality will come in handy up front, so he will likely be retained.
Injury-riddled pair Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe both put in praiseworthy displays against Luton - the latter played a big role in both goals - but Declan Rice and Jorginho are now primed to return alongside ever-present skipper Martin Odegaard.
A refreshed Jakub Kiwior is also in line to demote Oleksandr Zinchenko to the bench, but William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and David Raya remain mainstays at the back.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Ben Knapton
