Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice and Riccardo Califori are both available for Arsenal’s trip to Crystal Palace and is confident Oleksandr Zinchenko could join them.

Rice scored a pointless 3-1 win over Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with Califiori not featuring since last month’s 5-2 win over West Ham.

“They are both available,” confirmed Arteta in Friday’s pre-game press conference.

And when asked about Zinchenko, who has not been seen since the 2-0 win against Manchester United, he added: “I think he could be available.”

Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick at the Emirates on Wednesday in his first home goal in over a year, while he has yet to open his Premier League account this term.

On the No.9, Arteta said: “He was really happy because he helped the team win the semi-final and that’s what we wanted.

“You could see his immediate reaction, a big smile on his face and that’s what we need from everyone to be at the highest level of performance and Gabby (Jesus) certainly had that.

“He’s looked really good since he came back from pre-season. He started playing after he suffered a concussion and did well without scoring. What he did the other day is what we need in our nine.”

Arteta celebrates five years as Arsenal boss this weekend, transforming the Gunners from a struggling outfit back into one of England’s top forces.

On how they have grown in five years, the Spaniard said: “The unity, the connection and the fact that we are now competing on a big front. We haven’t managed to do that in recent years so that’s positive.

“I am here because I am very passionate about what I do and I love this football club. I try to be the best version every day.

“Those things take time. There was a connection with the fans here because I was a player and a captain here but after going through different situations together it strengthened the relationship.

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