How Arsenal are expected to line up against Crystal Palace after Saliba blow

Saliba was forced off early during Thursday’s shock Europa League defeat by Sporting Lisbon due to a back issue.

The centre-back, who has started every League game for Arsenal this season, was set to be assessed in the hope that he could play this weekend.

“William, I don’t know. He had some discomfort and could not carry on, so we had to take him off,” said manager Mikel Arteta on Thursday night.

However, subsequent reports from France have since stated that Saliba is facing several weeks in the treatment room and won’t take part in international duty.

Arteta must now decide how to deal with Saliba’s absence, with Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior options to slot in alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back. Ben White could also be switched from right-back, while Kieran Tierney offers another potential solution.

Takehiro Tomiyasu also came off injured against Sporting and his injury looks serious. The right-back hurt his knee and left the Emirates Stadium on crutches.

“With Tomi, it’s not looking good,” Arteta said. “He was in quite a lot of pain and it looks pretty nasty on his knee, but we don’t know.”

Arsenal should make changes from Thursday night’s loss to Sporting as they welcome Palace, who are now without a manager after sacking Gunners icon Patrick Vieira on Friday.

Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey are due to come back into the midfield, while Bukayo Saka should join an attack led by Gabriel Jesus. Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny remain sidelined.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Sunday 2pm GMT.

Venue: Emirates Stadium.

Referee: Stuart Attwell.

Arsenal squad from: Hein, Ramsdale, Turner; Gabriel, Holding, Kiwior, Saliba, Tierney, White, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Trossard, Vieira, Xhaka; Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson.

Injured: Elneny (knee), Nketiah (knee), Tomiyasu (knee), Saliba (back)