Mikel Arteta says he’ll have to wait until after this evening’s training session before he knows who will be available for tomorrow’s match with Manchester United.
“We haven’t really trained,” said Arteta when quizzed on the latest team news in his pre-game press conference.
“They had a recovery session yesterday and today we are training late in the stadium because obviously, the [short] turnaround is, again, what they [the Premier League] did to us a few weeks ago.
“The best way is to train as late as possible to be able to do something for the match.”
While we know the likes of Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are sidelined, there’s an outside chance that Takehiro Tomiyasu could be included. The manager also needs to check in on Alex Lacazette, who was only fit enough to make the bench at Stamford Bridge.
“He trained yesterday and hopefully he’ll be there today,” said the manager.
“After Covid we’ve had players who have struggled for weeks, others have recovered quicker, let’s see. Obviously it’s a player that we need and contributing and being at his best. Hopefully, he can recover quickly.”
On Tomiyasu making the squad for the first time since January, he added: “If he trains today and he feels good, he will be available tomorrow, yes.”
Arsenal’s recent record in home games against Manchester United has been pretty good. We’ve won two and drawn once, keeping clean sheets on all three occasions.
If we take the points, we’ll open a six-point gap on the Red Devils and still have a game in hand. A victory would also put pressure on Sp*rs before they travel to Brentford later in the evening.
So many times I’ve thought scum utd were there for the taking but we haven’t taken advantage, here is hoping we add to the recent victories we’ve had at home against that lot!!!
Our defeat this season was the first for the past 4 seasons, so we have taken advantage in recent years
Hope Tomiyasu is ready but if not we can still beat United tomorrow. It will be best if we push the issue, get the fans off their seats, and turn it into a bit of a mad encounter like the Chelsea match. Organized chaos serves us more at the moment than sustained controlled progression.
Ronaldo is playing so we have to be strong that side of the pitch.
Ronaldo is playing so we need to be strong down that side.
Ronaldo would get a nose bleed if he went to the wing these days
Which Side?
I’ve always associated him attacking our right back, though I’m sure he is central too.
Really wouldn’t be surprised to see Tomi in the starting line up tomorrow
If I absolutely had to choose, I’d probably take this United game above away at Brentford. I’ve got a feeling that Sp*rs will struggle there.
And then we are looking at a West Ham game which is right in the middle of their Europa legs while Sp*rs play Leicester.
I’m feeling positive. But well aware that absolutely anything could happen.
Don’t forget United and Spurs also have the advantage of VAR. We never do!!!
Leicester will be in the same position v Totts in terms of Europe as West Ham will be against us
Ah, yeah. Good point. It is the conference though…
We’ve just got to focus on winning the next game again – after all, if we win all our remaining games then the absolute minimum we can finish is 4th!
I believe in miracles. COYG!!