An upbeat Mikel Arteta announced there was “very positive news” regarding Arsenal’s myriad injuries ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners have been plagued by injuries this season, not only losing players to long-term absences, but also perhaps the most important player in the team. William Saliba was the latest to join London Colney’s treatment room after suffering a muscular problem and missing Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
Initial reports suggested the normally robust Frenchman could be out for around two weeks with a hamstring strain. Arteta did not provide a detailed schedule, but revealed that Saliba is “developing very well”.
“He’s been feeling a lot better in the last few days, but this game was a little too early for him,” the manager added.
William Saliba is already getting better/Mark Atkins/Getty Images
Riccardo Calafioli suffered some minor fitness concerns during his debut in the capital, but is expected to return for the European game in midweek.
Teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri is set to join his Italian team-mate, as Arteta was very keen to reveal. “This is very positive news,” beamed the Spanish coach. “We were without them for a few weeks but they came back for training today and they will be available for the game.”
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s most missed player. The reliable winger suffered a hamstring tear before Christmas and at one point it looked like the rest of the season was in jeopardy.
Arteta reluctantly revealed the player would be out for several months. Despite the recovery period, with a return expected sometime in March, Arteta said: “He’s doing very well. He’s feeling better day by day, but we have to respect the healing process and then he’ll… He has to go through other stages of rehabilitation,” he added.