Mikel Arteta gave a triple Arsenal injury update ahead of Saturday’s game against Sunderland, including confirming that Jurrien Timber is fit and available.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta gave updates on three of Arsenal’s absentees from training earlier in the week.
Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Jurrien Timber all missed the session on Thursday, with Max Dowman and Mikel Merino also long-term absentees.
On Saka, Arteta confirmed good news that the winger is now improving.
“His hip is getting much better,” Arteta revealed. “So, yeah, hopefully very soon he will be with us very soon, very soon.”
As for Odegaard, there was originally some hope that the midfielder could even be back in the squad in time to face Sunderland on Saturday. Arteta didn’t confirm that, but he did suggest it will only be “days” until the Arsenal captain is back in action.
“Martin is getting better and it will be a matter of days we believe,” Arteta said.
As for Timber, there’s no cause for concern there, with Arteta confirming “he’s fine”. It’s not unusual for a player to miss a session here or there as Arsenal manage their fitness, and it seems that’s all this was.
With Arteta adding that there are no new injury concerns other than those listed above, it seems the squad is in a pretty good position going into the weekend.
Dowman, Merino, Saka, and Odegaard are all currently expected to miss the game, but everyone else should be available.