Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update on several key players, including Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Ødegaard, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth. The trio, along with Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié, were absent from the team’s first training session on Thursday. When asked if any of them would be available to face the Cherries, Arteta replied: “There have been changes since yesterday, yes.”
Eze Available and Pushing to Return One positive note was the return of Eberechi Eze, who last played for Arsenal in the 2-0 Champions League win against Bayer Leverkusen last month. Arteta confirmed the England international is available for selection this weekend and praised his determination to recover quickly.
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“He is available. He has [been ahead of schedule], my first conversation with him after he felt a niggle, he wanted to be available the next week, we knew that was impossible. But the recovery, the will that he’s shown from day one to get back as quick as possible, how he’s pushed the medical staff and himself to be there tomorrow, it’s just great to watch,” Arteta said.
Merino Making Strong Progress Arteta, also gave an encouraging update on Mikel Merino, who last featured in Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in January. The Spaniard revealed Merino is out of his boot and reacting very well to surgery.
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“He’s another one that is going to push every boundary. He’s out of his boot now. He’s doing quite a lot of exercises already. He’s reacted really well to the surgery. He’s got no pain. It’s more for the medical staff to go a bit further on that. But I’m sure there is a chance to make that period shorter. If there is a person who can do it, I’m sure that’s going to be Mikel again,” Arteta added.
The Arsenal boss stopped short of confirming the exact availability of Saka, Timber, and Ødegaard, but the slight changes since yesterday suggest some progress in their recovery.
Arsenal head into the Bournemouth game looking to maintain their strong position at the top of the Premier League table.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Akai Akeobong
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