Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were unavailable for our 5-2 win over West Ham at the weekend, while defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel were substituted during the match.

At his pre-match press conference before the game against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta was asked about the status of all four players and whether any would be out of contention.

“We’re having a meeting this afternoon,” he stated. “We held a training session this morning, monitoring a few players and keeping them away from certain activities. After the meeting, we will determine if everyone is fit and available and who will start.”

The manager noted that the way his squad has risen to the occasion recently has been impressive, no matter who has been on the field.

“Everyone feels significant, and we’ve faced this situation almost since the beginning of the season,” he remarked.

“We consistently discuss the squad’s importance, ensuring everyone feels valued and recognizing the quality we possess. We must continue to adapt because, with our schedule featuring games every three days until March, this will be necessary.

“I’m very pleased with how the team has responded and the way we’ve played to win convincingly; it’s very encouraging.”