Hull City will be without Matt Crooks at the Emirates on Saturday, who has received a one-match Premier League suspension following his fifth yellow card of the campaign, picked up during the game against Ipswich last weekend.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland is back in training and featured for the under-21s on Monday.

On his squad: "I expect more from our senior players, to make a difference. You see a lack of game play and they need time. We need match fitness and game experiences and this is what we will be doing in the future with the younger players."

Discussing Hull's 200th Premier League game and facing defending champions Arsenal, Jakirovic joked: "It is a very easy game for us. What is so difficult?", before adding: "Jokes aside, I am very proud of the club. 200 appearances isn't a small number. We know how difficult it is in the Premier League, so I want to thank all supporters. Currently Arsenal are playing the best football, [along] with Paris St-Germain."

On how his side can get a victory at the Emirates stadium on Saturday, just like Hull City did in 2008: "We need Andy Dawson." (Dawson, who is a current coach, started in defence in the game, which the Tigers won 2-1).

The Hull boss continued: "He [Dawson] is with us, which is good. I have watched a lot of Arenal's game and tried to find something, but they are brilliant and a very strong team. No matter who is on the pitch, they create a very difficult game for us."

On his team's formation: "We will have to see. We have tried something this week - plan A, plan B, and C - but we will see."

He added: "It has to be front-foot and aggressive because Arsenal have very high quality."