
The Gunners advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Brighton at the Emirates, but attention has now shifted back to the league, where Arsenal remain four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth.
Arteta rotated heavily in midweek, making ten changes against the Seagulls, and the Spaniard is expected to restore at least nine of his regular starters for the trip to Lancashire.
David Raya will return between the posts after Kepa Arrizabalaga featured in the cup. The Spaniard, 30, has been Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper this season, keeping six clean sheets in the Premier League so far.
In defence, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori are all set to return. William Saliba remains sidelined with injury, meaning Cristhian Mosquera is likely to keep his place alongside Gabriel after impressing in recent outings.
Midfield regulars Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are also expected to return, replacing Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino, who both started in midweek.
Eberechi Eze will likely move back into his preferred attacking midfield position, with teenager Ethan Nwaneri returning to the bench.
Arteta gave surprise starts to academy prospects Max Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous against Brighton.
Dowman, who became Arsenal's youngest-ever starter, earned praise from his manager. "It was definitely special for him and for us," Arteta said after the match. Both are expected to drop out for the weekend, though Dowman could still make the bench with Gabriel Martinelli injured.
Bukayo Saka will return on the right, while Leandro Trossard is set to make his sixth consecutive league appearance on the left.
Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line after being rested in midweek, with the Swedish striker still looking for his first away goal for Arsenal.





