Explained: Why Oleksandr Zinchenko isn't in Arsenal's squad to face Fulham in the Premier League

Zinchenko was a surprise omission from Arsenal's matchday squad ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage. The club's social media accounts confirmed that the Ukrainian full-back has picked up a calf issue, and has been replaced in Mikel Arteta's starting XI by Jakub Kiwior.

Arsenal are looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to West Ham and end 2023 with a win. Three points in West London will see Arteta's side will end the year top of the table, but they'll have to earn them without the help of Zinchenko.

This is not the first time Zinchenko has suffered calf issues since he arrived from Manchester City in 2022. He missed five Premier League games last autumn with a calf injury before suffering a tear in May that saw him miss the end of the season and much of pre-season.

Arsenal fans will hope that Zinchenko's latest calf issue is indeed 'slight' and not something more serious. The 27-year-old will hope to return to action when the Gunners take on Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on January 7.