Arsenal will welcome back Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri for their Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb, but William Lintasa and Bukayo Saka remain out.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the duo will feature in Wednesday’s game at the Emirates after both missed the Gunners’ last three games in all competitions against Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa, with 17-year-old Nwaneri in the 2-0 defeat -He was also injured in the defeat against Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
“Very positive news. We missed her for a few weeks and returned to training today. They will be available for the game,” Arteta said of the returning pair.
The Spaniard also shared some positive news about the fitness of influential centre-back Saliba, who sat out Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Villa, but said tomorrow’s clash would come too soon.
Arteta added: “He’s developing really well. He’s been feeling a lot better in the last few days, but this game comes a little too early for him.”
England striker Saka is also stepping up his comeback after suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on December 21.
“That won’t change. I think it’s in the process and the time you had. This phase is now over.
“He’s doing really well. He is getting better every day, but we have to respect the healing process and then he has to go through further phases in rehab.”
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The knockout qualifiers are approaching
The draw against Villa, in which they blew a two-goal lead, saw Arsenal lose further ground in the title race. The North Londoners are now six points behind Liverpool, having played a game more than the league leaders.
There were no such problems for Arteta’s men in Europe, however, with a win for the third-placed side on Wednesday all but securing their place in the round of 16.
“We’ve done really well so far. We are in a strong position and now it is time to capitalize at home,” said Arteta about tomorrow’s game and the season so far.
“After the work we have done over many months, we need a strong performance against a really good team and we will try to do that.”
Automatic qualification for the round of 16 with a place in the top eight comes with the added advantage of not being involved in a home-and-away knockout match, which could prove to be a lot less stressful if you continues to struggle in the league and the Carabao Cup.
“Let’s do what we have to do first, which is always difficult because we’re talking about the Champions League,” Arteta added. “If we succeed, we will of course have the best ideas on the table to make the right decision.
“Yes, it was very helpful (a break last season), with the schedule we have for the last three months you can take a break and reset a little bit, work on things and rest some people, but some people are back . That would be great.”
Arsenal transfer news
Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s January transfer activity as the window enters its final 10 days and the north Londoners are in the market for a striker.
“I understand that it happens. I get a lot of people writing to me saying, “You’re after him,” and this. I don’t even know what they’re talking about.
“I don’t follow it too much. I have enough things to do that I don’t let it distract me too much.”
