Arsenal lineup vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Predicted XI for Champions League first leg as William Saliba starts

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will revert to his strongest possible lineup for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg away to Bayer Leverkusen, but the Spaniard is still sweating over some critical injury doubts.

The Gunners are expected to be without three players for the showdown at the BayArena, where Mikel Merino (foot), Ben White (knock) and Martin Odegaard (knee) will watch on from the sidelines.

To make matters worse, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were withdrawn in that 2-1 fifth-round victory due to "niggles" - as Arteta described them - although the pair were filmed in training on Tuesday lunchtime.

However, unlike in the Premier League, players can face their parent clubs in the Champions League, so Leverkusen-owned Piero Hincapie should be a straight swap for Calafiori in defence.

Cristhian Mosquera failed to cover himself in glory against Mansfield, but Arteta has confirmed that he has William Saliba fit and ready for the first leg, in which David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes also ought to come back after enjoying complete rests at the weekend.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are in the exact same boat, while FA Cup match-winner Eberechi Eze should act as the creative focal point due to Odegaard's absence.

Max Dowman sent tongues wagging with his electric display at the weekend, but there is no chance of the 16-year-old starting over Bukayo Saka, who should link arms with Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres in the attacking third.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Martinelli; Gyokeres