Why Mikel Merino and Ben White are not in Arsenal squad for Crystal Palace amid PSG worry

Mikel Merino and Ben White have not been named in the Arsenal squad to take on Crystal Palace.

The Gunners welcome Oliver Glasner's side to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, with Mikel Arteta intent on building some momentum ahead of the vital Champions League semi-final first leg against PSG next Tuesday. Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions should Palace beat Arsenal, although a Gunners win or draw would give the Reds the chance to be crowned champions with a win over Tottenham on Sunday.

Merino and White will play no part against the Eagles, however, as the duo were not included in the matchday squad. Arteta confirmed prior to the 8pm kick-off that both players were not fit enough to make the squad. The Spaniard told Sky Sports: "They couldn't be involved, if not they would have been involved. Unfortunately, after the game [vs Ipswich] we had some issues and they are not fit.”

Merino has impressed in recent months as a makeshift No.9, with injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus forcing the Spaniard to play as a striker. White, meanwhile, continues to build up his match fitness after missing a large chunk of the season due to a knee injury.

Arteta did not go into any further detail surrounding Merino and White's fitness issues. Everyone associated with the club will be hoping any injury is minor with the pair, in an ideal world, back for next Tuesday clash against PSG.

Academy players Jack Henry-Francis, Jimi Gower and Ismeal Kabia were named among the substitutes to face Crystal Palace, as was Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, fresh from making his Premier League debut on Sunday.

Confirmed Arsenal starting XI - Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Sterling, Martinelli, Trossard.

Subs - Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Gower, Henry-Francis, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Nwaneri, Saka.

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