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Thomas Partey to start? Arsenal team news and predicted XI vs Leeds United

Charles Watts
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The Gunners have some injury doubts ahead of their Premier League clash with Leeds United on Saturday

Arsenal host Leeds United on Saturday as they continue in their quest to win a first Premier League title since 2004.

The Gunners go into the weekend sitting eight points clear of Manchester City at the top, but Pep Guardiola’s side do have a game in hand.

So victory is vital for Arsenal, as they look to maintain their momentum in the title race.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, GOAL takes a look at how things are shaping up in Mikel Arteta's squad.

Editors' Picks

  1. Arsenal team news
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    Arsenal team news

    Thomas Partey is expected to be fit despite having to sit out Ghana’s game against Angola on Monday. Sources close to the player say his absence was precautionary and that he will be available, although Arsenal will make a late call on the midfielder. The extent of WilliamSaliba’s back injury, which forced him to miss the game against Crystal Palace before the international break, is still not fully known, but the defender is set to miss the game against Leeds. It is not clear how long he will be sidelined for and Arsenal will not take any risks over the France International, especially as Rob Holding came in and played well in the 4-1 success over Palace. Arsenal will be without Mohamed Elneny (knee), Eddie Nketiah (ankle) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee). The Gunners hope Kieran Tierney will be fit, despite taking a knock while playing for Scotland against Spain on Tuesday.

  2. Talking point
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    Talking point

    Will this be the game Gabriel Jesus gets his first Premier League start since November? Mikel Arteta eased the Brazilian back into things before the international break as he didn’t want to take any risks with the frontman following such a long spell on the sidelines. But Jesus has now had another fortnight of training and will be desperate to come in from the start this weekend. That would most likely mean Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench, however, which would be a bit harsh given the form he has been in. So it’s a tough choice for Arteta, but a good one to have.

  4. Key man
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    Key man

    It has to be Bukayo Saka. Arsenal's explosive winger has been in superb form of late, scoring twice against Palace before the international break and then starring for England in their win against Ukraine. Saka is such an influential player for Arsenal and he scored the winner against Leeds at Elland Road earlier in the season. If he performs well again on Saturday, then Arteta’s side will have a great chance of taking all three points.

  5. What has Arteta said?
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    What has Arteta said?

    Arsenal’s manager believes his side will do whatever it takes to win the title over these final 10 games. “We cannot control the outcome of other clubs," Arteta said. "What we can control is what we do every single day. Now it has to be about enjoying the last part of the season with a real hunger to continue to do what we’ve done and if possible, better.”

  7. Arsenal predicted XI

    Arsenal predicted XI

    (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.