Arsenal will be without key defenders William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko for the title climax.
The Gunners have three matches left to overhaul current leaders Manchester City, who have a one point advantage plus a game in hand.
But Mikel Arteta’s side will go into the games without first-choice defenders Saliba and Zinchenko.
Left-back Zinchenko injured a calf in Sunday’s win at Newcastle and there isn’t enough time for the former Manchester City star to recover in time to feature in the remaining matches.
Kieran Tierney is expected to deputise in Zinchenko’s absence.
William Saliba (right) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (left) have been ruled out for the rest of the season for Arsenal
Salbia has been absent for Arsenal since March with a back issue, while Zinchenko picked up a calf injury last weekend
Saliba has been missing since mid-March after sustaining a painful injury to his lower back in the defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Mail Sport reported on April 16 that Saliba was struggling to play again this season due to serious ‘structural damage’ to his lower back.
Saliba has been desperate to play again, and the club have given him every opportunity to do so.
However, playing would have provided a significant risk of compounding the injury and a decision has been made to rule him of the final matches.
Indeed, the close nature of the title race was one of the key reasons why it has taken until now to make a final decision on Saliba’s availability – even though medics feared he would miss the rest of the season when he suffered the injury eight weeks ago.
The news comes as a blow to Arteta, whose side still believe that they can pip City to the title.
Mikel Arteta will have to motivate his team for three more games as they challenge for the Premier League title
Kieran Tierney will likely deputise for Zinchenko for the Gunners for the rest of the campaign.
source: dailymail.co.uk
