Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka are set to return to the Arsenal squad to face Newcastle United this weekend, in a double injury boost for Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta’s pre-Newcastle United press conference brought some great news for Arsenal fans, with the manager confirming that he’s expecting Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori to be in the squad.
The only downside was that Arteta also revealed that Jurrien Timber is still out, and Mikel Merino isn’t expected back either. So the Gunners will still have a couple of absentees this weekend.
“No [new issues],” Arteta confirmed. “Bukayo [Saka] is probably going to be in the squad. So good news. Riccardo [Calafiori] in the squad, Jurrien [Timber] not.”
Saka has missed Arsenal’s last two Champions League games, two Premier League games, and an FA Cup game since his last appearance for the club, and the Gunners have lost three, drawn one, and won just one of those matches without him.
Calafiori did manage to play in the FA Cup and the Champions League win over Sporting CP, but he’s since missed the two defeats and a draw since then.
Both players are clearly important to Arsenal, and it will be a big boost to see them back in the squad. The same will apply to Timber, when he eventually returns.
Arsenal’s defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City have left the team desperately needing to win as many as possible between now and the end of the season.
If the Gunners don’t win all five of their remaining Premier League matches, City can pip them to the title with five wins of their own. As for the Champions League, Arsenal will play their semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid next Wednesday.
First things first, the Gunners host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in the league on Saturday, as Newcastle deal with five injury/suspension absentees of their own.
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