Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta delivers a mixed injury update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Gunners open gameweek 10 of the 2024-25 season in the 12.30pm kickoff, where they are at risk of falling further adrift of Liverpool and Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table.
Arteta’s side sit third in the standings and have a five-point gap to make up to leaders Man City, while also remaining four adrift of the Reds after last weekend’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
Arsenal got back on track with a comfortable 3-0 EFL Cup beating of Preston North End on Wednesday, though, and Arteta was boosted by the return of William Saliba from suspension for the clash at Deepdale.
Jurrien Timber was also fine to start and play 45 minutes of that win, despite coming off against Liverpool, but Gabriel Magalhaes was not involved after hurting his knee in the draw with Arne Slot‘s side.
Arteta hints at Gabriel injury boost for Newcastle clash
© Imago
Speaking to the media in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed that Gabriel was yet to train with the squad, but he affirmed that he will be fine to play if he can make it through their final session.
“We have a training session today. If he can complete that, he’ll be available. He hasn’t had any training sessions yet, but if he’s able to do that today, he’ll be available to be in the squad,” Arteta replied.
However, the Gunners boss did not have good news to share on Ben White, who was only thought to be missing from the Preston win as a precaution, as the England international is also yet to train and seemingly less likely to be fit.
“With Ben, we don’t know yet. He hasn’t trained yet. He could not train, he could not get involved, so let’s wait and see if he’s available,” Arteta added, before also revealing that Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) would not be back before the international break.
The Spaniard had already confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori (knee) would be out for a few weeks before the trip to Deepdale, but reports earlier this week suggested that Martin Odegaard (ankle) had an outside chance of being available for the Newcastle clash.
Arteta responds to positive Odegaard injury reports
© Imago
However, Arteta affirmed that there was no chance of the Norway international being available for Saturday’s game, but he kept his cards close to his chest when asked if next week’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan was a possibility.
“Now is the stage when he will do certain work with us, Let’s see how he deals with pain, if he moves naturally enough, if he is physically now at the level that requires him to compete,” Arteta said.
“But with the workrate and the hours he’s put in, I would be surprised that the moment he starts training with us, we don’t say that he looks ready. So hopefully soon.”
Should neither White nor Gabriel be passed fit for Saturday, Arteta would be down to the bare bones at the back, where Jakub Kiwior and Saliba could partner up in the centre.
The Gunners boss can deploy either Timber or Thomas Partey at right-back, though, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko are options on the left-hand side.
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