Arthur retained his spot in the Barcelona midfield for Sunday evening’s La Liga trip to Valencia (22:45 UAE KO), with Thomas Vermaelen’s replacement of centre-back Clement Lenglet the only change.

Arthur, 22, excelled during his first Champions League start on Wednesday – a 4-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur. Such form convinced head coach Ernesto Valverde to keep faith in the summer buy from Gremio, as the champions attempt to arrest a three-game winless run in the top flight.

Elsewhere, as the leaders look to stretch their advantage thanks to Real Madrid’s shock 1-0 reversal at Alaves on Saturday, Samuel Umtiti’s injury gave Vermaelen just a second league start of the season.

His previous run-out, however, was last month’s 2-1 loss at Leganes.

Valencia came into the match in an unfamiliar 16th place.