Given Arsenal’s struggles with injuries this season, it was no surprise that much of this afternoon’s pre-Preston press conference focused on player fitness.
Here’s what manager Mikel Arteta had to say about the return of key players and who might get an opportunity tomorrow night at Deepdale in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
On Gabriel Magalhaes after his knee problem at the weekend…
We’re still assessing him. He doesn’t look bad at all. He was much better the next day, so hopefully he’ll be fine.
On whether Gabriel has done tests…
He’s done some tests, yes.
On whether he knows at this point how long Gabriel might be out…
No.
On Jurrien Timber’s fitness situation…
He’s fine. He was very tired, he’s been out for a while. He could not continue the game, but there is no new injury at all.
On whether Timber was suffering with cramp against Liverpool…
He could not continue, so we decided to make a very safe call, but he was fine.
On Riccardo Calafiori’s knee issue…
He will be out for a few weeks, I would say. Still a few weeks.
On William Saliba’s availability after his suspension…
I will decide that and when I decide, you will see the team.
On Martin Odegaard’s recovery…
He’s been on the grass for a few weeks but there are still a few boxes to tick. How fast we can he do that last stage of the rehab is a question we’ll have to answer once we have players around and he starts competing with the team, something he hasn’t done yet.
On whether Odegaard will return before the Interlull…
Hopefully yes, but we’ll have to see the stage how it goes.
On whether Zinchenko is still a key player having twice been overlooked in favour of Lewis-Skelly…
These decisions that are always difficult to make. You make them with only the intention to get the results and get the performance that you want, but Alex already has proven for many years, something that Myles is yet to do, that he has the ability to do it.
On Kieran Tierney’s return from a hamstring problem…
I think he’s quite close, he’s looking really good. I think he’s over the period where he was still struggling, so he looks really sharp out there. He hasn’t trained with the team yet, but hopefully, he can do that in the next week or two.
On goalkeeper Tommy Setford potentially making his debut tomorrow…
Obviously, we brought him because we know that he’s got the qualities that we’re looking for in our goalkeeping area, but unfortunately, he’s been injured so it hasn’t really played and let’s see if we play him tomorrow.
I think we need an Arteta Dictionary at this point.
Glad that Big Gabi and Jurrien are fine, but are they “fine” as breathing and still living, or actually ready to perform some ball kicking activities.
Also, really happy that Tierney looks good, almost forgot how he looks, poor lad.
Tierney was doing great during last international with Scotland before that injury
Someone started just such a dictionary on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1gaq0zy/here_is_some_arteta_translation_for_you_guys/#lightbox
Arteta is The Black Knight. A player has a leg hanging off and ‘Tis but a scratch’ never give anything away. 😂
In the stands Tierney looks like a lost boy every time the camera picks him out. I feel for the lad, it must be tough.
I wouldn’t rule out K-Tierz being used if he returns to fitness. There’s no real reason not to if the squad is stretched thin. He used him to good effect vs Newcastle away in 22/23 when Newcastle were decent.
On Tommy “let’s see if we play him tomorrow.” Groundbreaking revelation
I guess that means Captain Ø will be back for Chelsea away but we won’t see Calafiori before Nottingham at the Emirates imo.
Think we might try to squeeze both Zinny and MLS tomorrow since the later played mostly as a midfielder before moving to left back last year if I am not mistaken. Feel like Zinny could be useful against a low block I am expecting to face at Preston!
Finally, don’t think we will ever see Tierney in an Arsenal shirt again which saddens me but I can understand we moved on. Wish him the best tho!
Ch*lsea is just 12 days away so very unlikely to see MO for that.
That’s just me trying to read Mikel’s mind games but one can only believe I guess !
I think he would actually have played some part was he available in the last couple games (or against Preston), but since the guys are coming back from injury and Saliba from suspension the path ahead seems really hard for him, and a move January seems likely
Beautiful answers all! Love this guy
He is strangely both robotic and poetic. Love him!
On whether Gabriel has done tests…
He’s done some tests, yes.
Instant classic.
“In all things, give thanks”
That was Big Gabi IG’s message after the match.
I am not surprised that good luck came upon him following assessment of the extent of the injury.
What a positive mindset and it brought luck to Jim that the injury was just very minor.
If he and Timber were able to finish the game, no way Salah would have scored. He was completely anonymous throughout the game until Timber left.
We move.
I’d be more of the opinion , KT as a squad player has a greater chance this season rather than last season . He’s proven himself as a CB in trio and still can play a traditional LB role .
To see games out maybe he can become the new Rob Holding and tuck into a more defensive 3 and especially with Tomi injury record and unfortunately the rate at which Cala has gotten injured, there’s a role that Kiwior can’t fill as a LB against fast wingers