Mikel Arteta is hopeful Gabriel Magalhaes will be fit for Sunday’s trip to St James’ Park but his involvement in the squad won’t be decided until after tomorrow’s training session.
The Brazil international was forced off in the closing stages of Tuesday’s win 3-1 over Chelsea with what appeared to be an ankle injury following a collision with Aaron Ramsdale in the build-up to the Blues’ goal.
He initially carried on after receiving treatment before being replaced by Rob Holding with five minutes remaining.
“We’ll have to see tomorrow how he is,” Arteta told his press conference on Friday afternoon.
“He could not finish the game so that was obviously a big sign for us and we will have to see how he is tomorrow.”
The boss was also asked for an update on William Saliba who continues to work his way back to fitness following a back injury sustained in March.
“Not a lot of progress,” he replied. “He is feeling better every single day but he has not been able still to have any activity around the first team so we don’t expect him to be with us.”
Asked if Saliba is set to be ruled out for the rest of the season, he added: “We are not there yet today because we are always hopeful, players are always pushing to play, but if that’s the case, at some stage we will announce that. But hopefully, that won’t be the case.
“It’s about the healing process. Pain-wise and things that he can do now off the pitch and he’s in a good place but obviously, we have to build that capacity again to have the right impact, the right load and be in good condition to train and play for the team.”
The Gunners head to St James’ Park knowing a win against the Geordies will secure at least second spot in the table come the end of the season.
More importantly, it’ll also keep the pressure on Manchester City who have to juggle two domestic fixtures (Everton and Chelsea) with a Champions League double-header against Real Madrid in the space of 13 days.
Newcastle come into the clash in good form having won eight of their last 10 games in the league.
A draw on Sunday would secure second place (but put the tin lid on first).
Second place has been secured ages ago even if not mathematically.
Keeping our fingers crossed on the fitness and availability of Gabriel for Sunday’s fixture; Saliba’s injury/unavailability could signal an end to his season. If surgery is the solution to his back injury, then the summer break should be used to operate on him.
If it is surgery he needs I hope it can be soon to maximize his recovery time so he’s ready to go for pre season. Any chance we can get him to “sign” a contract while he’s under for surgery?
First of all how have we jumped to surgery when no one in the club has mentioned anything of the sort? Back surgery is nothing to be sneezed at and can have all sorts of crazy complications and recovery issues so I seriously seriously hope William doesn’t need it.
That said if he does, definitely give him that anaesthetic where you smilingly do as you’re told and can’t remember any of it and make him sign da ting.
If Saliba needs back surgery I would not worry about his season, I would worry about his career and would definitely wait on a new contract. As it is now, I would wait on a new contract, back injuries are not easily resolved.
If both teams play their best, we are quite clearly the better side, even without Saliba. Ignoring the overwhelming fact that they are owned by murderers, Howe has done an amazing job. He has vasty improved players like Almiron and Joelinton. But Almiron is not Saka, and Joe Willock–as much as I like him–would be a valuable squad player on this Arsenal team, not an important mainstay of the first 11. They held us at the Emirates by playing a very uncharacteristic negative style (as they have done against some of the other top teams, but only away). I don’t… Read more »
To be honest Kroenke is hardly pure as the driven snow as he is married into the Walmart empire who are notorious for paying their staff a pittance and treating them not very well. But in truth what multi billionaire get where they are by being a nice, decent human being?
As far as I know, the Kroenke’s haven’t murdered anyone, outlawed Judaism, or made it a crime to be anything other than hetero? Does that make them Jesus? No, no it does not, but I do tire somewhat of the whataboutery you hear from Newcastle and City fans all the f’n time these days.
Saved me a couple of minutes writing that all out, cheers!
Agree completely. I would add that the Kronkes–even Walmart–are not a nation-state whose purpose in owning a football club has nothing to do with sport or even profit but is a form of propaganda. (Barney Ronay in The Guardian has a very good story about this in relation to PSG.)