Mikel Arteta press conference injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Man City, with latest on Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal head into a defining Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday, with the title race hanging in the balance.
The Gunners currently sit six points clear at the top, although they have played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side, making this encounter potentially decisive.
Preparation for the trip to the Etihad Stadium has been far from smooth, however, with several key players missing from recent matches, including the midweek Champions League tie against Sporting CP.
Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Jurrien Timber, Martin Ødegaard and Riccardo Calafiori were all absent, raising major questions ahead of the weekend.
Arteta delivers mixed fitness update
Speaking ahead of the match, Mikel Arteta admitted that Bukayo Saka is definitely out of the crunch clash on Sunday.
“Bukayo is out, that’s for sure,” he said. “He’s just starting to do some stuff, so let’s see that progression, how quickly we can go through it, and then wait, but at the moment it’s not about that.”
Arteta also reflected on how his side have handled ongoing injury problems throughout the campaign.
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“We’ve had to cope with that [injuries] all season and if you look back at the stages and the players that we’ve missed for big, big, big periods and where we are, it’s not normal where we are.
“But we have coped with that because of our mentality and the solutions that we find, the way the players have stepped up in this moment. And we are where we are. We are still very strong and we will remain the same way.”
There was a more optimistic tone regarding Noni Madueke, who was forced off against Sporting.
“We have another training session tomorrow. He didn’t look that bad after the game, and he was quite positive. He’s a player who pushes through pain, so I’m hopeful that he can be available, but we have to wait and see if he’s able to train tomorrow.”
As for Jurrien Timber, Martin Ødegaard and Riccardo Calafiori, Arteta suggested late decisions will be required.
“We will try again. Some players are quite close, but the turnaround is short, so we will try tomorrow to push everybody, and if they are in good condition, they will be part of us, and if not, they won’t. They haven’t been in the last few weeks, unfortunately.”
With the stakes so high, Arsenal may have to once again rely on squad depth as they look to take a decisive step towards the title.