Mikel Arteta has cooled any injury fears around Mikel Merino ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Real Madrid. Merino finished Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Everton with a bandage around his head after a clash in the first half. The Spaniard was also spotted pulling up in the warm-up at Goodison Park and appearing to grab his groin muscle.

There is also the question of familiarity: should both White and Timber be fit for Madrid, Arteta may prefer one of them at centre-back to Jakub Kiwior. If so, a dress rehearsal alongside William Saliba would be ideal.