Arsenal face Slavia Prague on the road in Tuesday’s Champions League encounter.
Ahead of the game, there could be a couple of enforced changes to the starting line-up from the 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley on Saturday.
Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi suffered muscle injuries at Turf Moor, and manager Mikel Arteta should provide an update in Monday’s presser in Prague.
Regardless of this, Zubimendi is already suspended for the trip, having triggered a one-match ban after accumulating three yellow cards in the Champions League.
In his absence, Christian Norgaard looks poised to make his maiden Champions League start in the holding midfield role against the reigning Czech champions.
Norgaard signed for Arsenal in a £15 million deal from Brentford last summer, and he has since made only two starts for the club. Both have come in the Carabao Cup.
The Dane has two substitute appearances apiece in the Champions League and Premier League, and manager Mikel Arteta could finally start him in Europe on Tuesday evening.
There is an option of playing Mikel Merino alongside Declan Rice, but the former could be asked to lead the line, with Gyokeres doubtful for the trip after his half-time substitution at Turf Moor.
Gabriel Martinelli has impressed in a central role coming off the bench this season, but the Brazil international is likewise nursing a muscle injury picked up against Crystal Palace.
Merino starting upfront would pave the way for Norgaard to make his full Champions League debut. He should operate as the number six, with Rice featuring as a central midfielder.
Arsenal will aim to extend their 100 percent start to the league phase of their Champions League campaign with a fourth-straight victory.
After Slavia, the Gunners are due to face newly-promoted Sunderland on the road in the league before the final international break of the year.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
