Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could have a big decision to make on four players ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Gunners have had a fine start to the Premier League campaign and they are currently only behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur on goals scored.
Arteta will be aiming to continue the good run after the international break, but he has a tough choice to make with regards to four first-team stars.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus are currently on Brazil duty and they won’t return to London until after Wednesday’s early morning clash against Uruguay.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz are also with Ghana and Germany for their international friendlies in the USA scheduled at a similar time.
With the short turnaround and long travel involved before Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge, it remains to be seen whether the quartet will be picked in the XI.
Arsenal could have faced a similar scenario against Everton last month, but they were helped by the fact that the fixture was postponed by 24 hours.
They would have ideally preferred something similar, but it was never going to happen, considering their Champions League game at Sevilla, a week on Tuesday.
If Magalhaes has any issue in the lead up to the derby, Arteta could ask either Jakub Kiwior or Takehiro Tomiyasu to partner William Saliba in central defence.
Meanwhile, we could see Jorginho continuing in the number six role if Partey does not make the XI. Kai Havertz could likewise feature on the bench for Arsenal.
Arteta could recall Bukayo Saka back to the line-up to replace Jesus. The club graduate started 87 consecutive league games before his muscular injury.
He was deemed unavailable for the Manchester City win at the Emirates Stadium, but the short break could enable him to start the derby at the weekend.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
