Arsenal

Martinelli out, Saka to start? Arsenal team news and predicted XI vs PSV Eindhoven

Charles Watts
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has some selection decisions to make ahead of facing PSV in the Europa League.

Arsenal return to Europa League action on Thursday night knowing that victory against PSV Eindhoven at Emirates Stadium will guarantee them qualification through to the knockout stages with two games remaining.

The Gunners go into the match sitting two points clear at the top of Group A, having won each of their first three group stage fixtures.

So how are Mikel Arteta’s side shaping up ahead of Thursday night’s clash? GOAL takes a look.

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  1. Arsenal team news
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    Arsenal team news

    Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss out once again for Arsenal.

    The Ukraine international hasn’t featured since the north London derby win against Tottenham on October 1.

    He is still struggling with a calf injury and has not yet returned to training with Mikel Arteta’s squad.

    Gabriel Martinelli also sat out Arsenal’s final training session on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the PSV game.

    Like Zinchenko, the Brazil winger has also been struggling with a slight calf issue, but he has also not been feeling well this week.

    Arsenal will make a late call on his availability on Thursday. 

    Long-term absentees Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Emile Smith Rowe (groin) remain on the sidelines.

  2. Talking point 
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    Talking point 

    All eyes will be on Cody Gakpo on Thursday when the PSV winger steps out at the Emirates.

    Several Premier League clubs were linked with the 23-year-old during the summer, including Arsenal, and it feels like a matter of time before he makes the move to England.

    Southampton had agreed a fee with PSV for the Dutch international, only for the Dutch outfit to pull out of talks in favour of keeping him for another year.

    So far this season he has 14 goals in 20 appearances for club and country and he will be desperate to add to that tally on Thursday night.

  4. Key man 
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    Key man 

    If he starts, it has to be Bukayo Saka.

    The Arsenal star has found his best form in recent weeks after a slightly slow start to the season.

    In seven days last week he scored the winning goal in three different games, including the Europa League game at Bodo/Glimt.

    No matter what competition he plays in, Saka continues to step up for Arsenal.

    And he will be looking to do that again on Thursday night when PSV visit the Emirates.

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

    Speaking ahead of Thursday night’s match, Arteta said it was vital that his side consolidated their position at the top of the table in Group A and open up a five-point gap over PSV ahead of next week's return game in Holland.

    "Really important," said the Arsenal boss. "In Europe when you have the chance to take an advantage you have to do it because it’s always very unpredictable what can happen in the next game.

    "Having watched them [PSV], what they are doing domestically and internationally is top notch."

  7. Arsenal predicted XI

    (4-3-3): Turner: Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Sambi, Xhaka, Vieira; Saka, Nketiah, Nelson.