Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has recovered in time to face West Ham United, but there were a few others in Mikel Arteta’s squad missing with new injuries.
Arsenal take on West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday, looking to maintain momentum after their win over Premier League leaders Liverpool last weekend.
Before the game, the Gunners had quite a few injury doubts following that Liverpool clash, and Mikel Arteta gave the latest on the situation in his press conference on Friday.
Bukayo Saka was substituted against Liverpool, with Arteta suggesting at the time he’d just “got a kick”. The Arsenal boss seemed upbeat about the winger’s chances of featuring against West Ham.
“He’s been recovering this week and he looks okay,” Arteta confirmed. He has been included in the squad.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was also substituted against Liverpool, and alternative left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu has only just returned from the AFC Asian Cup, so both were doubts for West Ham.
Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on whether either player would be available, speaking only in vague terms.
“We have a few still in contention,” Arteta said. “They’ve been evolving really well, so tomorrow we’ll have another training session.
“We’re hopeful we’re going to have a few back and that we can put out a very competitive squad out there.”
When the team was announced, neither Zinchenko nor Tomiyasu were in it with Arteta saying that “Alex is not fit”.
Emile Smith Rowe “turned his ankle in training” and so also misses out.
In addition, Jorginho back on the bench with Arteta saying “Jorgi hasn’t trained almost all week as he’s been carrying an issue and it took him a while to recover on top of that.”
When pressed specifically on Gabriel Jesus on Friday, who was absent against Liverpool, Arteta responded: “No update,” at his press conference. Just before kick-off on Sunday, with Jesus missing from the squad, Arteta simply said ” Gabi [Jesus] is not available in the squad.”
As for Thomas Partey, who reportedly had a recent setback in his recovery, Arteta said: “He’s progressing really well but it’s a bit too soon to tell you exactly when we’re going to have him back.”
Arsenal’s other two injury absentees are Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira, and it doesn’t look like either are ready to return to action just yet.
Arsenal’s squad for West Ham
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard
Bench: Ramsdale, Cedric, Walters, Bandeira, Elneny, Jorginho, Nelson, Nwaneri, Nketiah
🟡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
🙌 Gabriel makes 150th appearance
🧱 Kiwior in at left back
🔙 Trossard returns to starting line-upLet's do this, Gunners ✊ pic.twitter.com/iEpmdlGzhj
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 11, 2024