Arsenal’s injury list is verging on the ridiculous. The Gunners have only been back in competitive action for two games and they already have eight players out injured.

However, there is some good news, with at least three close to making their comeback to first-team action. Granit Xhaka has already returned to full training having recovered from an ankle injury he sustained in the defeat to Manchester City.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also back in contention following a thigh strain, and it is expected that both players will be fit and available to face Southampton tomorrow.

Cedric Soares is also on the comeback trail, with the Portuguese international having recovered from a nasty facial injury. He is building up his fitness and he should be able to make his belated debut against Sheffield United on Sunday.

There are, however, five other players still unavailable. Pablo Mari will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, while Bernd Leno (knee) is set to miss the next six weeks.

Lucas Torreira (ankle) remains sidelined, along with Calum Chambers (knee), and Gabriel Martinelli’s fitness is a major concern with reports suggesting a knee injury could keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.