Mikel Arteta says that both Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori are back in the squad and available for tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.
The former came off at half-time in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on January 4th, while the Italian’s last appearance came in the same game.
“Very positive news,” said Arteta. “We missed them for a few weeks and they returned today for training so they will be available for the game.”
On William Saliba, who missed the draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, the Arsenal boss sounded an encouraging note after initially saying he was ‘very worried‘ about the hamstring strain he picked up during the North London derby win.
“I think he’s evolving well,” he said.
“The last few days he was feeling much better already but this comes a little bit too early for him.”
Arteta was also asked about Bukayo Saka, who was spotted on crutches last week, but insisted this was just part of the original rehab plan and not a set-back of any kind.
“No, that’s not going to change [the timeframe],”he said.
“I think it’s within the process and the time that they had. That phase is gone now, he’s doing really well, he’s feeling better day by day, but we have to respect the healing process and then obviously he still has a lot of stages to go through in the rehab.”
Good news
I do welcome winning winnable games as good news as well.
Like two new signings… because they’re the closest we’re going to see this season.
Why say that? I’m sure there is lots going on in the background….trying to get the best deal for the club. Sure we’ll have at least one exciting signing before the end of the window, but inevitable it will go to the wire…..that’s how negotiations and deadlines work.
The good news there are Premier league players available in the mould of the Trossard deal.
Both Cunha and Wissa are decent players and available for fair money . Both be great squad additions and versatile.
The big move for a no9 who knows but let’s see it’s blatantly obvious what we need and to be fair we have spent well on all signings todate
As much as I am disappointed by this season and as much I did love the team to win, I do prefer a permanent top quality addition over stop gaps if they mean missing out on top targets in the summer
Cunha and Wissa are available? Where may I ask did you get that information?
It’s all over the place mate… Cunha won’t sign new deal and wissa if of 28 million put in by forest and under consideration, not rejected outright as per fabio and the Oracle
Farcebook
More to the point, we can now focus on new signings that we need, not just temporary stop gaps.
Problem solved!
If it’s true that Ben White is close to a return as well and Saliba is just a couple of weeks away then by the start of February the match day squad could look much, much healthier.
Glimmers of hope amid the doom.
Positive news indeed! Hopefully with the thinner squad Nwaneri can see plenty of minutes on the pitch and cement his place.
Get in!
Exactly what we need.
Two things:
1) please let’s not risk anybody who might get injured in a home game against Zagreb
2) fuck me Calafiori is a handsome bastard
Last sixteen in Champions League is vital, so strongest selecton required
Good news, hope both can stay fit and fulfil their potential!
I do hope we buy 3 new left backs because we only have 5 or 6 who can play that position.
Would Arteta play Calafiori and Gabriel together as center backs? That has to be a better option than going with Partey again at RB and Timber at center back.
It’s back on !! Cue 3 more injuries , a dodgy red and a flu bug hitting the camp
Glad to have Ethan back. He gives an alternative at least if not starting. The more options we have the more it gives a kick up the arse to those who aren’t delivering. Having said that the last game Trossard assisted two and Martinelli and Havertz scored, so defence was the issue last time and the return of Calafiori can free up Timber to play RB again, but only if the manager will pick two left footed centre backs.
Either way, glad to have both back. I just hope they can maintain fitness.