Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka will require late fitness tests if they are to feature for Arsenal against Everton on Sunday.
Both players, crucial in Unai Emery’s plans, missed training on Friday. Koscielny has a bruised foot whilst Xhaka has a tight groin.
Though Aaron Ramsey’s cramp cleared up in time for him to join the squad ahead of the trip to Merseyside the involvement of two of Arsenal’s most important players before the first of five away games that will be vital if Arsenal are to finish in the top four.
“We are waiting on tomorrow’s training, some players – Xhaka, Koscielny – didn’t train – with us today. They are working with the physios.
“Today Aaron Ramsey started training normally and the other players are well.”
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also walking a disciplinary tightrope – if he picks up a yellow card at Goodison Park it will be his 10th of the season an he will miss the next two Premier League games.
The Gunners have a significantly poorer record away from the Emirates Stadium than they do at home and their hopes of a top four finish are likely to be decided by how they fare in five of seven away matches that end the season.
“We are thinking game by game,” Emery said. “We know five matches away of seven is a big challenge.
“Away we want to achieve good performances as at the Emirates Stadium. I think we have confidence now. We know it’s very difficult.
“It’s a long way for the last matches. Each match is coming for us, information is coming for us, how we can take the next matches.
“Sunday against Everton is the most important match for us [now], we know other teams will demand a lot from us because they will take a lot of points.”