Arsenal youngster Reuell Walters in squad for Crystal Palace clash as William Saliba ruled out

Arsenal will be without William Saliba against Crystal Palace this afternoon with young Reuell Walters set to make the matchday squad.

Saliba has yet to miss a Premier League game for the leaders during their impressive title charge in 2022/23, though was forced off in the early stages of Thursday night's shock Europa League last-16 second-leg home loss against Sporting Lisbon with a back issue.

Arsenal were set to assess the influential centre-back in the hope that he could still play some part in Sunday's London derby at Emirates Stadium.

However, Standard Sport understands that Saliba will not be involved today, with reports from French publication L'Equipe on Saturday stating that he is poised to miss several weeks and will not be available for international duty.

With the 21-year-old now joining the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny in the treatment room, Rob Holding is expected to deputise alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back against Palace.

January signing Jakub Kiwior is another potential option, though he has yet to be handed his top-flight debut and made just one appearance for Arsenal in the Europa League so far.

Manager Mikel Arteta could otherwise choose to shift Ben White inside from right-back, with Kieran Tierney another possible solution. Arsenal are also without the versatile Takehiro Tomiyasu after he suffered a serious-looking knee issue against Sporting.

One player who will be in the matchday squad against Palace is Walters. The 18-year-old is a right-back by trade also comfortable playing centrally as part of a back three and has impressed at youth level this term.

Walters, formerly of Tottenham's academy before joining Arsenal in 2020, has made 20 appearances for the young Gunners so far this term but is awaiting his senior debut having trained with the first-team group since the injuries to Saliba and Tomiyasu.

He was selected in Arteta's squad to tour the United States during pre-season and started the friendly win over German side Nurnberg last July.