How Arsenal could line up against Norwich City

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed several fitness boosts and fresh injury concerns to consider for Saturday's Premier League visit of Norwich City.

Seeking to climb off the foot of the Premier League table, the Gunners will be without Granit Xhaka following his sending off against Manchester City, although the Switzerland captain tested positive for coronavirus during the international break.

Mohamed Elneny also picked up an injury earlier this month, but Thomas Partey is now back in full training with the squad and could be thrust into action alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga, assuming he can shake off a minor fitness scare.

With Takehiro Tomiyasu unlikely to be deemed ready for action just yet, the stage is set for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to feature at right-back, with Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers failing to convince so far.

Arteta has also been handed a double defensive boost with Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly win against Brentford over the international break, so Pablo Mari and Rob Holding should take their spots on the bench.

On another sour note, Emile Smith Rowe fell ill and was forced to withdraw from the England Under-21s squad, meaning that Nicolas Pepe could earn a start on the left alongside Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Alexandre Lacazette is waiting patiently for his opportunity to help out a goalless Arsenal side, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struck braces in both of his Premier League games against Norwich and is set to lead the line once more.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Leno; Maitland-Niles, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Pepe; Aubameyang