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The Spaniard could be forced to name his starting XI without two of the defenders who have been key first teamers.
Mikel Arteta is not yet sure whether he will have either of his first-choice centre-backs available for Sunday’s match against Newcastle United.
Gabriel Magalhaes is struggling with fitness after he came off in the latter stages of the match against Chelsea on Tuesday after struggling with an ankle issue throughout the second half.
With William Saliba not ready for action, Arteta could be forced to operate without the two defenders he had been depending on for the better part of the campaign.
"We’ll have to see tomorrow how he is, but he could not finish the game [against Chelsea], so that was obviously a big sign for us, and we’ll have to see how he is tomorrow," Arteta said in regard to Gabriel.
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22:14 - 05.05.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Beware Arsenal! Guardiola delivers warning as title race tightens
City have a chance to widen the gap if they win Saturday’s match against Leeds.
Saliba has not been available for Arsenal’s last seven games, and the Gunners’ boss hopes the Frenchman can be involved before the season ends.
"He’s feeling better every single day, but he’s still not been able to have any activity around the first-team, so we don’t expect him to be with us [at Newcastle]," he added.
"It’s about the healing process. Pain-wise and with things that he can do now off the pitch, I think he is in a good place, but we have to build his capacity again to have the right impact, the right load, and be in good condition to train and play for the team.
"We are not yet [ruling him out for the season], because we are always hopeful and players are always pushing to play, but if that is the case, then we will announce that. Hopefully that will not be the case."
The reverse fixture against the Magpies ended in a goalless draw, and Arteta explained why the Sunday match will not be easy either.
"We will try to play the game that we want, and they will want to play a very different game. That was the battle when we played them at Emirates Stadium, but I think we deserved to win the game," he continued.
"There are things that are obviously going to be different from the last game, and we’re going to have to be better to earn the right to win it.
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16:16 - 05.05.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Howe downplays feud with Arteta ahead of Newcastle, Arsenal duel
The Magpies will host the Gunners in yet another match that carries a lot of stakes in the Premier League.
"They are a really good side who are well coached and have really good players and the right environment around the club right now, so they are in a good place. We know that it is going to be a really tough game because, especially at home, they’ve been really good.
"They already are third in the league right now, and they merit that position with the way they have performed and the amount of changes they have made. They have made some very intelligent decisions as well, so they deserve to be where they are."
The Magpies will go into the match boosted by a good run; they have eight wins from their previous nine matches.
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