Arsenal will be without Sead Kolasinac for this weekend’s meeting with Sheffield United.
The Bosnian international full-back returned from an ankle issue at the beginning of January, and with Kieran Tierney sidelined has played in the opening three games of 2020.
He completed the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but the Gunners have confirmed that a thigh strain will keep him out of their Emirates clash with the Blades.
The injury isn’t serious, and the club expect to have the ex-Schalke man back for the trip to Chelsea next Tuesday.
With Tierney’s shoulder problem set to keep him out until March, Bukayo Saka is set to deputise this weekend for Mikel Arteta’s men.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Switching Ainsley Maitland-Niles may be another option, depending on the fitness of Hector Bellerin.
The Spaniard has been suffering with a hamstring issue of his own, but will be assessed ahead of the weekend and may be fit to return at right-back.
If Bellerin doesn’t make it, then Maitland-Niles will continue on the right.
Like Tierney, Calum Chambers remains on Arsenal’s long-term injury list, having undergone surgery on his ruptured ACL.
Arsenal are also set to be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the next three matches, after his red card at Selhurst Park.
They are hoping that the FA will reduce his three-match ban however – despite the club deciding against an appeal.
Aubameyang was initially booked by referee Paul Tierney before it was overturned and made a sending off by VAR.
Arsenal feel that slowed down replays of the incident portrayed it to be much worse than it was.
