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How Arsenal could line up against Southampton as Mikel Arteta receives triple injury boost

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ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a triple injury boost ahead of Sunday's trip to Southampton.

Main man Bukayo Saka limped off in Thursday's 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

Martinelli and Saka are both in line to start against Southampton
Martinelli and Saka are both in line to start against Southampton
Saka hobbled off in Thursday's game vs PSV but is expected to be fit for Southampton
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Saka hobbled off in Thursday's game vs PSV but is expected to be fit for SouthamptonCredit: Getty

But the England international, 21, is expected to be back for the trip to St Mary's.

Gabriel Martinelli will also make the trip after not "feeling great".

Arteta confirmed: "I think he (Saka) is fine.

"He was struggling a bit at the end but hopefully he’ll be fine for Sunday.

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“(Martinelli) had a tough week. He wasn’t feeling great in the week.

"But in the day before the game he was already feeling better so that’s why we decided to play him a little bit.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been suffering with a calf problem, but is making good progress.

Whether the Ukraine star makes Sunday's game is yet to be seen.

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But Arteta offered a positive update nonetheless, saying: "I think he’s close.

"He’s getting better and better and he’s progressing really well.

"He had a setback on an injury that he got at the start of the season which is a shame, but knowing Alex he will be back very soon.”

And so Arsenal will be heading into the game with the Saints as close to full strength as possible.

Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal, while being protected by a back four of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel.

In-form Granit Xhaka will keep his place in the midfield alongside Thomas Partey.

The Swiss star scored the winner against PSV.

And Saka, Martin Odegaard and Martinelli will support striker Gabriel Jesus.

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Alternatively, Marquinhos could be handed a Premier League start, should Martinelli fail his fitness test.

And Kieran Tierney may be called upon at left-back at the expense of Tomiyasu.

Alternatively, Tierney and Marquinhos could start
Alternatively, Tierney and Marquinhos could start
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