Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Bukayo Saka injury latest, confirmed team news and predicted lineup

Mikel Merino could make his full debut for Arsenal when they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The midfielder has come off the bench for the Gunners in their last two games after missing the first part of the season with a shoulder injury.

Merino, who signed for Arsenal in the summer from Real Sociedad for over £30million, has been getting more minutes in his legs during the international break by playing for Spain.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is sweating on the fitness of a number of players after they picked up issues during the international break.

Bukayo Saka limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury during England’s 2-1 loss to Greece on Thursday night.

The winger has since undergone a scan and was released from the England camp before their win over Finland on Sunday.

England interim boss Lee Carsley has suggested that any injury is not serious and there is optimism that Saka will be fit for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

Gabriel Martinelli also picked up an issue while away on international duty with Brazil and has had his calf scanned.

Arsenal are in contact with Brazil and they are waiting to hear if he will be involved in their game with Peru in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Full-backs Ben White and Jurrien Timber missed Arsenal’s win over Southampton before the international break, but could return this weekend. Kai Havertz was left out of the Germany squad with a knee complaint, however he is expected to be fit.

Oleksandr Zinchenko could be back involved for the first time since August as he is close to recovering from a calf injury, while Thomas Partey is expected to shake off the illness that led to his withdrawal from the Ghana squad last week.

Captain Martin Odegaard (ankle) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) are still out injured, while goalkeeper Neto is unavailable this weekend as he is on loan to Arsenal from Bournemouth.

It means 16-year-old Jack Porter, who made his debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton last month, could make the bench if Tommy Setford has not recovered from a hip injury.

Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling could keep their places in the Arsenal attack given they have not been away with their countries during the break and will be fresh to start.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Rice, Merino; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Saturday 5.30pm BST , Sky Sports

Venue: Vitality Stadium

Arsenal squad from: Raya, Porter; Calafiori, Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Saliba, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Sterling and Trossard

Doubts: Havertz (knee), Martinelli (calf), Saka (hamstring), Setford (hip), Timber (unspecified knock), White (groin), Zinchenko (calf), Partey (illness)

Injured: Odegaard (ankle), Tierney (hamstring)

Ineligible: Neto (on loan and cannot face parent club)

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