Arteta issues fitness updates for eight players ahead of Bournemouth trip
Today at 05:35 AM
Mikel Arteta sounded relatively positive about the state of his squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality.
Despite a couple of players dropping out of international duty – Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz – and two others – Saka and Martinelli – picking up issues while they were away, it sounds like they are all in contention for the trip to the South Coast.
There was also a positive update on Martin Odegaard, who continues to rehabilitate an ankle ligament injury. Unfortunately, the manager confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu has picked up a new problem having made his first appearance of the season in the pre-Interlull win over Southampton.
Here’s what the boss had to say in his pre-game press conference.
On Bukayo Saka…
It’s not a serious injury, he’s evolving really well, he’s done a few things in the last two days. Obviously, he wasn’t fit enough to play with the national team in the second game [against Finland] We are hopeful. We have a training session this afternoon, he did some bits yesterday, so let’s see if he can make it on time.
On Martin Odegaard…
I think he’s not going to be fit for this game, next week is a different story. But again, in that later stage of rehab, where he is at the moment, he is doing already a lot of stuff, he needs to clear some markers, he needs to clear certain things he needs to be comfortable doing, especially with the ball. I think next week will be crucial to understand how close he is.
On Odegaard being back inside the next 7 games (before the next Interlull)…
Yes. Hopefully, yes.
On Kai Havertz…
He had a few issues, we’ve been dealing with that. He’s been absolutely brilliant. He has very good communication with the national team, the manager, and he understood the situation. Obviously, we have modified everything we could do here and, again, if he trains well today, he’s has a chance to be fit and available.
On Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko…
They are quite close the three of them, again today we’re going to have to try and push [in training] and see who is [available] because obviously we are a bit struggling with the numbers especially in our the right side. Hopefully, we have some positive news today and we’ll have some players back for tomorrow.
On Thomas Partey…
Yeah, Thomas is fit.
On Gabriel Martinelli…
With Gabi, he landed yesterday afternoon here. We have had a very short time to be with him. Yesterday, he went outside to do a little bit and to see how he’s feeling and today will be another step to understand whether we want to take the risk on if he’s fit. I know what the player is going to say, he’ll say fit for sure.
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