Mikel Arteta spoke to the press ahead of his Arsenal side’s clash with West Ham on Sunday, confirming the latest injury updates on Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka.
The youngster picked up a knock during the 4-2 victory over Chelsea, but was eager to feature in our follow-up clash with Manchester United last weekend, and was unable to complete the 90 minutes.
The boss claims that he has recovered well however, and looks set to be in the squad at the London Stadium.
“Hopefully he{Saka} will be fine,” Mikel told Arsenal Media today. “He had some issues in the final part of the game but he’s recovered well and we expect him to be available.”
The latest on Thomas Partey was no positive however, with the boss hinting that we shouldn’t be expecting to see the Ghanaian midfielder again this season.
He added in regards to Partey: “He’s progressing but he had a significant injury, a recurring injury as well, so we don’t expect him to make progress that quickly to see him this season, but hopefully I am wrong.”
He also poured a little cold water on our hopes of seeing Tomiyasu make only his third start of 2022 having suffered a succession of setbacks in his attempt to recover from injury previously.
On Tomi, he said: “You only know that, after a player’s been out for a long spell, when you put him on the pitch. He hasn’t started any matches yet. He’s lacked a bit of time on the pitch so it’s a decision we will make tomorrow.”
The Japan international only came off the bench very late on against Man United, which is unlikely to have given him what he needs to be able to see out the 90 minutes, so it makes sense that he will be on the bench.
Saka will obviously be a massive boost to our chances of closing in on that all-important fourth spot if he is able to feature, and it sounds as if he will be fine to do so.
Could Arteta be withholding some news to play mind games ahead of the London derby match?
Patrick
Banana skin game! I put 2-1 to us in the prediction league but that was my heart ruling my head and think it will likely be the other way round.
Declan, I disagree strongly with your “head”. A wiser head than yours would tell you that West Hams best chance of doing anything ,including CL qual, will be winning the EL and firstly that second leg .
That means many second string players playing against us. No fit CB s at all for West Ham either. That is what my head tells me and I back my head against yours any time.
Both our hearts no doubt agree but hearts are biased but HEADS SHOULD NOT BE.
AND MINE IS NOT!
We wish arsenal to trash westham with 5 goals to nothing
With WestHam looking to bounce back from the semi final loss they may well rest a few key players plus they have literally no CBs available.
This is a game we need to take very seriously like the Utd/Che Games. Massive 3 points required especially is Spurs beat Leicester earlier in the day, plus we may well even be able to knock a few goals in considering their situation defensively. It’s on us now to take advantage but evrrytime that has been wrote we slip up.
If Spurs drop points at Leicester heading onto the next fixture at Anfield, whixh they will lose and if, we beat west ham & Leeds next at home we could possibly be 7points ahead of then heading to the toilet bowl.
These next 2 games are vital
WestHam will have a depleted squad but nothing can be certain in football. Arsenal will have to work hard for their win and we have to win because in case we slip up, we are handing the advantage to the Spuds. The news that Saka is fit is the most important one and he is the fulcrum on and around which our top 4 hopes rest. I still feel Arsenal should be able to win provided we play well.
They had made six changes against Chelsea and were the better team despite the loss.
That will inspire there confidence in resting there main starters.
Zuma one of there better defender is back but even him maybe rested for this encounter.
They may well keep there main starters on the bench to get a fifteen or twenty minutes, that’s why we must hit them early and hard then manage the game onwards.
Am seeing lots of goals in both London games
Question is which Arsenal will turn up? The one against CP and Brighton or the one Chelsea and Man Utd?
This is a tough game and away. Cannot see us keeing a clean sheet. I hope we get a deflected goal and a dubious penalty and win 1-2. Hope Pepe scores the deflected goal as he has been linked with WH.