Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Granit Xhaka is ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury and hopes to be able to call on the midfielder before the end of the year.
The Switzerland international revealed this week his recovery from medial knee ligament damage has been slowed due to a bone break but that he’s now making good progress.
The Gunners have been without the 30-year-old since the north London derby win over Sp*rs.
“Hopefully, he’ll be a little bit sooner than expected,” Arteta said in his pre-Newcastle press conference.
“He’s training and pushing himself and the staff so hard as he always does.
“He’s in a good place, he’s evolving well and hopefully we can have him a bit earlier. We have to see still, it’s a bit early to decide.””
Asked if that might mean he’s in contention before January, Arteta said, “I hope so, yes.”
The boss also confirmed that there were no further injury concerns for Saturday’s game. Arsenal are looking to bounce back after a 4-0 defeat at Anfield and could climb temporarily into the top four with a win.
I wouldn’t wish an injury on any of our players so welcome back Granit.
Whether he should be back in the team is a whole different matter though. Anyway, we have another month to look at Thomas, AMN and Lokonga – I’d be very happy for them to make a clear first choice midfield duo between them as it will be difficult to get the right person in January and I honestly can’t see that Xhaka will ever be the solution.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
I’m happy that the coach will soon have all the players to pick from. Let’s go as much as we can
How does it go again? Xhaka is 29, next year he will be 30 but until then he is 29 because that’s how it works?
Love him or hate him you have to admit that Granit is probably the most resilient player Arsenal has. I’m pleased for him and hope he can be back soon, Partey isn’t exactly pulling up trees without him.
I’m not so sure Xhaka makes Partey better. If he can make Partey stay fit all the time he will be the first name on my team though. Anyone + Partey is better than anyone without Partey in our midfield.
Didn’t we start winning games when Xhaka got injured and was out of the team? Arsenal need to move on from him. Okay squad player.
Yes but everytime we draw or lose it’s because Xhaka is injured, and the replacement isn’t good enough. Nevermind the fact that Tavarez made an individual mistake or our forward play was nullified by our opponents. Us fans like to forget the last time Xhaka started we were fighting in the relegation zone.
Please no
Having just checked the table looks to me we would have to win 14-0 on Saturday to climb temporarily into the top 4?
“He’s in a good place, he’s evolving well…”
I would argue he hasn’t evolved nearly enough.