Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have no new injuries ahead of Wednesday night’s massive showdown with Manchester City at the Emirates and has revealed long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus is making good progress in his rehab from knee surgery.
Facing the media on Tuesday, the boss was asked to provide an update on the fitness of his squad.
“Everybody is available that we had from the previous game…unless something strange happens when they are in bed. I’m looking forward to it [the game],” he said.
The Gunners currently have four first team players sidelined – Mo Elneny (likely out until the end of the season after knee surgery), Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and the aforementioned Jesus.
On the Brazilian, Arteta said: “He’s doing really well, he’s on the pitch and has been doing quite a lot of work on his own with the ball already with good spirit. So far, the rehab is going well.”
As always, he was pressed on a potential timeframe for the striker’s return. “I don’t know. Ask the doctor, maybe he’ll give you one,” he joked.
As for whether Smith Rowe and Nelson could potentially make the squad for tomorrow, he added: “I will do the list now [after the press conference], so I will make that decision.”
I’d make a couple sneaky changes here:
Rammers
Tomi-Saliba-Gabriel-Zinny
Partey
Saka-Xhaka-Martinelli
Trossard
I think Trossard could give them fits between the lines like he did with Brighton. Also feel Tomi deserves a game. White has been a bit below par lately, but also probably needs a rest. Tomi is pretty much his peer on the pitch anyway.
10 men from the start? That’s more than sneaky: it’s daring.
I went with the assumption you’d all know Marty is an auto-selection… 😉
Not something they would be expecting
What could possibly happen to them in the bed?
Injury from sex.
Lee Mason could come and break their kneecaps perhaps
Except he’d forget to bring the crowbar
or have the knowledge, dexterity, or strength to wield it.
It’s Valentine’s Day hahaha
“White out for six weeks with ruptured banjo string”
Well, don’t forget, Wilshere was once sidelined for six weeks with an “inflamed bone.” Arsene Wenger’s words, not mine.
Tomorrow’s game is absolutely massive and could be the pivotal point of our entire season. Win and we go 6 points clear with a game in hand; lose and we’re playing catch-up. It’s critical that we get at least a draw.
I think Arteta should rotate the team for tomorrow. Tomiyasu, Trossard and possibly Tierney in for White, Martinelli and Zinchenko respectively might provide better opposition to Pep’s boys. We’ve look a bit stale recently.
Great news about Jesus: the sooner he’s back the better.
It’s the most important game so far for us, no doubt about that surely. Whether it’s “make or break”, who knows? I still think it’s the “unexpected” results that could determine the outcome of the title (we’ve had some recently of course and there will probably be more for City and us to come). Like you, I also think we need to shake things up. In the last three games, Arsenal have scored one goal. OK, several players were rested in the FA Cup game against City – clearly too many in hindsight – but quite a few will still… Read more »
We’ll see if it’s a “make or break” game – I suspect that there will be other “unexpected” results along the way (for City and us) that may help determine the outcome of the title race. It’s certainly true that should things go badly tomorrow Arteta and the players will be in new territory as we’ve not had to play catch-up with all it’s additional pressures. If that happens, nobody knows how we’ll cope so let’s just hope we’re not in that position come the final whistle against City. Like you, I think we should shake things up a bit.… Read more »
Well Arteta clearly clearly wants to dance with the one’s who brought us to this point. If they don’t win or draw expect to see changes for the next game. In Arteta world the starting 11 have earned the right to play this game and there’s nothing wrong w that approach. If we aren’t creating enough chances in the final third, I’d like to see Xhaka off for Trossard as an early sub.
I dont think it’s as dramatic as that. Obviously I’d like us to win and do it convincingly but either way it’s only 3 points worth and I think it’s man city who need to chase the game, the pressure is on them. Even if they do win, which hopefully won’t happen, we still have a game in hand
A win or a draw would be a good result I think, there’s a lot of matches left after this one and nothing is definite yet.
Nothing is definite yet, but you don’t want to be playing catch-up to a Pep led Man city, they’re capable of winning 15 straight games. So we better win or at least get a draw.
There’s an oddity about our “wobble.” In the past five matches, City have gained two points on us, United have not gained at all, Newcastle have lost a point, and Spurs have lost two. It’s only our 50-point first half that makes it look like a problem.
if rumors about nelson’s desire to stay at the club and earn a new contract are to be believed, he needs to get match fit and put himself into the conversation about squad depth and rotation. he seems like he’s well liked and wants to learn, but it comes to a point of quality and consistency that we haven’t seen from him since he moved into the senior squad.
I can’t see Nelson at Arsenal next season. We are likely to only carry 6 forwards next season, Jesus, Eddie, Martinelli, Balogun and Saka. Who becomes the sixth forward? Is it Trossard, ESR, Nelson or someone new? If Trossard or ESR aren’t going to see any time at 8 for Xhaka, then the other one is the 6th forward. From a numbers point of view I don’t see Nelson making the squad next season, he will be sold or his contract extended and out on loan. A good player, a confidence player and will have a good professional career if… Read more »
Good news that there are no new Arsenal injuries. That said, it’s not so much who’s fit but how they’ll play that really matters tomorrow.
Unfortunately, it looks like Haaland will be fit for City but you can’t have everything I guess.
Great news. Looking forward to a surprise tactic by Super Mike to contain the oil merchants. Kieran at the back Gaby in attack Leandro on the wing anyone?
Whatever team runs out the tunnel I wish them all the best.
We’re due for a win against those fraudulent tossers anyway. Here’s to the great atmosphere the Emirates has ever seen!
*Greatest
Reiss Lightning, oh Reiss Lightning
Smith Rowe needs to back on the field or get ready to be sold. Even Edu should be able to get good money for him to get a footballer that actually plays.
lol
Ever been to Positive Town? It’s a lovely place, nice pubs and great vibes.
I would resist any temptation to change the starting XI. For the players, it’s the most important match of an outstanding season. Despite our recent ‘wobble’, I would reward the them by continuing to place faith and trust in the same lads that got us here. We’re Gooners after all, not some heartless, rotation-minded automaton with an endless supply of oily lucre at his disposal. FUCK CITY. MON THE ARSENAL!!!!
Arteta ball philosophy in a nutshell.