Mikel Arteta provides fresh Arsenal injury update ahead of Dinamo Zagreb clash
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on three players ahead of the Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.
The Gunners dropped more points in the Premier League on Saturday. They were cruising to a 2-0 win before Aston Villa equalised with two goals in eight minutes.
The London giants could not secure a late winner, and they are now six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand against Everton on the road.
Arsenal now need to refocus for tomorrow’s European clash against Zagreb. Ahead of the encounter, Arteta has provided an injury update on three first-team stars.
Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri were spotted back in team training earlier today, and the manager has confirmed that the duo will be available to face Zagreb.
He said live via Arsenal.com: “Very positive news. We missed them for a few weeks. They returned today for training, and they’ll be available for the game.”
When pressed on Saliba, the Spanish tactician added that he is ‘evolving really well’, but tomorrow’s game against Zagreb will come too soon for the Frenchman.
Arteta added: “He’s evolving really well. But tomorrow will come too early for the game tomorrow.”
Arsenal have had a good Champions League campaign, and have picked up 13 points after six outings in the league phase. They still have work to do to finish in the top eight.
The club are third in the standings, but only two points separate them from 14th-placed Juventus. Hence, tomorrow’s game is a must-win to qualify for the round of 16 directly.
Finishing between ninth and 24th would mean that Arsenal must play a knockout round play-off. That’s the last thing the club want with the attacking injury crisis at the moment.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com