Arsenal welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium in their latest Premier League clash.
Mikel Arteta has made four changes to the side that demolished Ipswich Town 4-0 at Portman Road as Raheem Sterling makes a rare start in place of Bukayo Saka.
Oliver Glasner has praised Eddie Nketiah before the match and the striker starts for Crystal Palace in his first Premier League return to the Emirates Stadium after scoring in the Carabao Cup back in December.
However, Arsenal fans will have noticed that Mikel Merino and Ben White are not in the Gunners matchday squad and Arteta has revealed the reason behind the decisions.
Mikel Arteta reveals reason behind Mikel Merino and Ben White absences
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace, Arteta has explained that both Merino and White have some fitness ‘issues’ following the win against Ipswich.
Arteta stated: “They couldn’t be involved – if not they would have been. Unfortunately, after the game [against Ipswich] we had some issues and they are not fit.”
Concerns will now arise as to whether the duo will be fit for the upcoming clash with PSG or whether the Gunners are just being precautionary.
Mikel Merino’s growing influence for Arsenal
Gunners fans will now be desperate for the Spanish star to recover ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg with PSG.
Micah Richards singled out Merino believing that his impact on Arsenal’s recent good run of form in the false nine position has been down to his ‘understanding of the game.’
| Mikel Merino Arsenal statistics this season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Merino | 39 | 8 | 5 |
Arsenal fans lauded Merino following his performance against Ipswich, which included a sumptuous assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s strike.
Now all eyes will be on the Spaniard’s recovery, alongside White ahead of PSG as their importance to the Arsenal cause grows more and more with every passing game.
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