Arsenal dealt huge Bukayo Saka injury blow ahead of Premier League title race decider vs Everton

Arsenal have been dealt a massive blow as Bukayo Saka misses out on their Premier League title race decider with Everton at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners go in to the final day of the season with a chance of winning their first title since 2004. They must beat Everton in order to do so and hope Manchester City slip up against West Ham.

An already improbable task has now become even more difficult with Saka set to miss the game. The England international had been absent as Arsenal trained at the Emirates Stadium earlier this week.

This was understood to be due to an aggravation of a cut he had sustained as Arsenal beat Bournemouth two weeks ago during last weekend's 1-0 victory over Manchester United. However, he has now picked up a slight muscle problem that will see him miss the game against Sean Dyche's side.

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He is replaced in the starting XI by Gabriel Martinelli on the right wing. The Brazilian joins Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz in the forward line for his first start since March's 6-0 win over Sheffield United.

Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, is back in the squad for the first time since injuring his anterior cruciate ligament on the opening day of the season. The Dutch international has been back in training for some time now, but makes his first appearance in the matchday squad since August.

There is no place in the squad for Mohamed Elneny, though. The Egyptian international confirmed this week that he will be leaving the club after an eight-and-a-half year stay in north London.

Arsenal confirmed XI vs Everton: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.

Subs: Ramsdale, Kiwior, Timber, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Jesus.