Latest injury update on Mikel Merino and Ben White following draw with Crystal Palace

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Arsenal were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, as injuries to key players Mikel Merino and Ben White added to Mikel Arteta’s growing list of selection headaches.

Arteta made four changes to the side that thrashed Ipswich Town 4-0 over the weekend, with Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko both starting on the bench. Myles Lewis-Skelly was handed a start at left-back ahead of Zinchenko, while Saka was named among the substitutes after suffering an ankle knock in the Ipswich game.

However, it was the absence of Merino and White from the matchday squad that raised eyebrows. Both players featured against Ipswich, but neither was fit to play against Palace.

“They couldn’t be involved – if not, they would have been involved,” Arteta explained before kick-off. “Unfortunately, after the game [against Ipswich] we had some issues and they are not fit.”

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White has made just three appearances in 2025 after undergoing knee surgery late last year, while Merino has emerged as one of Arsenal’s standout players in recent weeks, registering three goals and three assists in his last seven games.

Arsenal started brightly and took the lead within three minutes, as Jakub Kiwior rose unmarked to head in from a free-kick. Palace responded well and drew level before the half-hour mark through Eberechi Eze, who volleyed in off the post after being left unmarked at the edge of the box.

Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal’s lead just before half-time, finishing neatly after a smart run and pass from Jurrien Timber. The Gunners thought they had extended their lead midway through the second half when Gabriel Martinelli tapped home, but the ball had gone out of play in the buildup.

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Palace made Arsenal pay for that missed opportunity as Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalised on a defensive error to score a late equaliser, lifting the ball over David Raya after catching William Saliba off guard.

Liverpool’s title celebrations were delayed as a result of the draw. The Reds needed Arsenal to lose in order to be crowned champions on Wednesday night, but Arne Slot’s men will have to wait at least one more matchday, needing just a point to secure the Premier League title.

Arsenal now have a rare free weekend ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday. Arteta will be hoping for positive injury updates on Merino, White, and Saka as the Gunners prepare for their biggest European night in over a decade.

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