Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a fresh injury blow ahead of the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

The Gunners started the season with three defeats, but they have since picked up 10 points from the next four matches.

Prior to the international break, they suffered a setback with Granit Xhaka picking up a serious knee injury against Spurs.

The Swiss is out for at least three months and it appears that Gabriel Martinelli is also out for the upcoming London derby.

The Brazilian sustained a minor injury in training, and Arteta is doubtful whether he will be fit for the Palace clash.

Martinelli has not played since Matchday 2 of the season, and there have been suggestions that he could be loaned out.

However, Arteta has insisted that he has no plans of doing so, and the 20-year-old remains a key player in the squad.

The Gunners entertain Palace at the Emirates. The game will see the return of club legend Patrick Vieira as the opposition manager.