Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about the condition of some of his players ahead of their game against Burnley on Monday
With two games to go in the Premier League season, Arsenal’s fate is in their own hands. Mikel Arteta’s side know that two wins against Burnley and Crystal Palace would make them champions of England for the first time since 2003/04, regardless of other results.
In fact, the Gunners could even be proclaimed champions as early as Tuesday if they beat Burnley and then Manchester City fail to beat Bournemouth. Should both win, then it will go down to the final day, when City host Aston Villa.
The odds are firmly in Arsenal’s favour, especially as City arguably have the trickier final games and also have the FA Cup final to worry about on Saturday. Arsenal’s final, the Champions League final, comes a week after the end of the Premier League season.
However, Arteta will be taking nothing for granted until Arsenal are over the line and he will be taking things one game at a time, first concentrating on welcoming Burnley on Monday night. Ahead of that game, the Basque coach is sweating on the fitness of a few of his players, especially after the bad news regarding Ben White.
White out for season, Timber could be too
“We have to wait and see,” said Arteta when asked if White could make the World Cup.
“It looks like a long-term injury. At the moment, the focus is that we can have him back to be available for Arsenal.
“That’s not going to happen in many, many weeks.”
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Meanwhile, with regards to a potential return for Jurrien Timber, Arteta was coy and tried not to raise expectations, although he said “there is a chance” he could be back in action before the end of the season.
“[Timber] wanted to be very close to the team. He’s progressed a little bit in the last few days,” said Arteta.
“He’s feeling better. We’re going to try to get him available as quick as possible. But he’s obviously been out now for a while, unfortunately. He’s such an important player for us. We all know that.
“And he’s doing everything that he possibly can to help the team in any capacity. And I don’t know, his leadership, his quality and how much the team needs him. He’s trying everything that he can.”
Calafiori a doubt but could return
There is slightly more optimistic news on Ricardo Calafiori, although the Italian defender remains a doubt for Monday’s game after being subbed off against West Ham with an injury.
“We don’t know whether [Calafiori] is going to be available now,” said Arteta.
“We still have days ahead. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, but we’ll have to wait and see how he reacts.”
