Arsenal injury doubt for Crystal Palace clash revealed as squad returns from Dubai

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Arsenal have returned from their mid-season training camp in Dubai, but still have injuries within the squad.

Mikel Arteta’s side are looking to return to their best form after three consecutive defeats have derailed their title race and ended their chances in the FA Cup.

The whole squad travelled to Dubai including injured stars Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira, and the trip will hopefully have reduced some of the fatigue within the team.

However, they have returned in the hope that they will welcome some of their absent stars back for Saturday’s game, but it has now been revealed that one star is still a doubt for the Crystal Palace clash.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is still an injury doubt for Arsenal

Oleksandr Zinchenko missed Arsenal’s last two games through injury, which was expected to be short-term, but he is still a doubt for the next game against Crystal Palace as he has not yet recovered from a calf injury.

The Evening Standard have now reported that it is still unclear if Zinchenko will be ready to face Palace in the early kick off on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was working on his recovery during the Dubai trip, and is now “pushing hard” to be fit in time, but if he is unable to make it, the only option Arsenal have now is for Jakub Kiwior to play at left-back again.

Arsenal need Oleksandr Zinchenko to return

Although he picked up heavy criticism for aspects of his defensive displays in recent games, the losses against Fulham and Liverpool without him highlighted his importance to Arteta.

The Ukrainian offers a lot in possession, ranking as one of the best progressive passers in Europe’s top five leagues, and his ability to distribute the ball has been crucial since his arrival last year.

Kiwior is naturally a centre-back, and his limitations in possession were shown in both his appearances in the last two defeats. He was substituted at half-time after struggling against Fulham, and even in the Liverpool game he failed to impress on the left-hand side.

With Takehiro Tomiyasu currently at the Asia Cup, Arsenal’s defensive depth is at an extremely low point, and one more absence in the back four would be a disaster.

If Zinchenko’s injury is set to keep him out longer, it would only reinforce the need for Arsenal to enter the market to sign a defender, even if on loan, to boost the numbers at the back.