Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested that Sokratis and Granit Xhaka are unlikely to start tomorrow to Football London.
Sokratis and Xhaka are both nursing injuries and have not trained with the Arsenal group over the week.
The Gunners are in action against Southampton tomorrow, and they would be boosted by the return of either of the pair.
However, Arteta suggested that neither of the Arsenal duo are ready to feature as things stand.
“We don’t know yet,” he said, when asked if Sokratis or Xhaka would be fit for Thursday.
“They haven’t trained fully with the team. Let’s see how they are tomorrow if they can be involved in any way in the squad but they are not yet ready.”
The comments suggest that neither of the pair will start, even if they prove they are fit enough to make Arsenal’s bench.
Sokratis absence is a blow for the Gunners currently, as they are so short of options in defence.
Xhaka’s importance to Arsenal’s side has really been highlighted since Arteta took charge, as he has played a key role under the Spanish boss.
Without Xhaka Arsenal seem to lack any real steel in the centre of the pitch, and they have come undone twice the restart.
Arsenal now badly need to get back to winning ways, but they are sure to face a challenge against a Southampton side, who have continued to improve as the season has progressed.
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