WILLIAM SALIBA'S "BIZARRE" ISSUE: WILL HE PLAY VS. BRENTFORD?
Arsenal faces a defensive crisis vs. Brentford with both William Saliba and Gabriel sidelined. Arteta praised the team's resilience but expressed "desperation" to have Havertz back for a "massive boost."
Mikel Arteta gave different updates on Arsenal's injured centre-backs, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, who are both trying to recover.
The team plays Brentford on Wednesday night, shortly after a tough 1-1 draw with Chelsea, which keeps them six points ahead.
Saliba was with the squad at Stamford Bridge but was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup because he got hurt during training.
Earlier in the year, the 24-year-old missed some time with an ankle injury. Arteta said on Tuesday morning that he's feeling hopeful about Saliba's current issue, but facing Brentford might be tight.
Arteta initially avoided questions about injuries, saying he couldn't provide much information since they had another training session. He added they wouldn't know what was happening with some players until after that session.
But when asked about Saliba, he said it was just a minor issue, and he expects him back in a few days.
He mentioned Saliba's earlier ankle injury was random and unlucky, sidelining him for weeks. He tried playing at Anfield but wasn't comfortable. This new injury is also strange, but he hopes it will only take a few days to recover.
The news wasn't as good for Gabriel, who's dealing with a thigh injury from international duty last month. He might be out until after Christmas.
Arteta said Gabriel is doing well, but his return will take weeks.
Against Chelsea, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie filled in at centre-back. They might have to do the same against Brentford.
Arsenal's squad is getting healthier after several injuries. Arteta confirmed that Leandro Trossard will be back in a few days, and Gabriel Jesus is getting back into shape after being out for a long time.
He said the players' attitude and performance in dealing with these absences have been important this season because they've had to deal with a lot.
Another player who's been out for a while, Kai Havertz, is getting closer to returning but isn't quite ready yet.
Arteta confirmed that Havertz will be out for a few weeks and isn't sure if he'll be back by the end of the month. He added that Havertz is doing well and is working on the field, but needs more time.
When asked if he was frustrated to lose Havertz as an attacking option, Arteta admitted his return would make a big difference, and the team is eager to have him back.
Arteta said he really likes Havertz for what he offers the team, including his character and personality. He sees how much Havertz suffers from being out.
He added that Havertz has always been available, and he can't wait to have him back playing because it will be a big boost for the team.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
